FAQ

Caltech stands for innovative research and academic excellence; we are a small place offering big advantages to those for whom we are a good fit. These attributes are expressed daily in the work we do, the faculty and staff we recruit and cultivate, and the graduates we produce. But there are other institutions with similar profiles and missions, and they are in direct competition with Caltech for talent, funds, and attention.

Our identity system helps us tell a coherent and compelling story about who we are, what we do, and why we matter. Our ability to speak effectively about ourselves will help us attract the resources we need for continued success.

Visit the Logo page to download the appropriate files and view usage guidelines. You will have to log into the site using your Access.Caltech credentials to download high resolutions versions.

The logo was developed to help us increase awareness of and appreciation for Caltech. It reinforces our name and confidently reflects our stature and reputation. Because it is more scalable, readable, and flexible than the seal, it more clearly articulates our identity, especially to those unfamiliar with Caltech. It should be used in place of the seal in nearly all communications representing the Institute or one of its entities, including such pieces as event flyers, research posters, PowerPoint presentations, print and digital newsletters, memos, marketing materials, invitations, and advertisements, as well as on stationery and websites.

The seal is the official imprint of Caltech and carries a greater stature than the logo. As such, it is reserved for formal communications, representing the Institute overall, such as presidential communications, diplomas, official transcripts, and letters of admission to Caltech.

The Caltech seal is reserved for formal communications such as diplomas, letters from the president, and commencement materials. For usage guidelines, please visit the Caltech Seal page.

Yes. There is now a standard beaver logo available for campus use. Please visit the Athletics Marks page for usage guidelines

Wherever possible, we would prefer that you use the Caltech logo in place of the seal. This includes in such materials as brochures, newsletters, research posters, letterhead and other stationery, business cards, PowerPoint presentations, event flyers, and invitations. We encourage you to phase the logo into your materials in a way that makes sense for the budget, schedule, and communications needs of your department/division.

No. The Caltech logo should never be paired with the seal or any other logos or symbols. Each of these elements are designed to be used on their own.

Departments and divisions may retain their existing logos, and for those interested in exploring new logos we encourage you to reach out to the Office of Strategic Communications to explore the benefits and limitations in doing so. We have developed co-branding guidelines to determine where the Caltech logo should sit in relation to other Institute symbols. We have also provided guidelines for creating an official lockup, where your group or department name can be paired with the Caltech logo.

We have developed placement guidelines to determine where the Caltech logo should sit in relation to other Institute logos and symbols. Please view the co-branding guidelines.

Yes. We will be using Pantone 1585 as the standard color in order to make the shade of orange consistent across the Institute. For color value information and best practices, please visit the Color section.

We have provided color values for a variety of contexts to ensure you always get the right orange. If you are printing on coated paper, use Pantone 1585, and on uncoated paper, use Pantone 151. For digital printing, use the corresponding CMYK (c:0 m:68; y:98; k:0) or RGB "process color" formulations (255,108,12), and for website design, use HEX FF6C0C. Consult with your printer for the best solution and the best way to prepare your files for print. For more information about color values, please visit the Color section.

We have suggested a primary, tonal, dark, and impactful color palette to complement the orange. Please visit the Color section for color palettes and usage guidelines.

You may either purchase the official fonts or use the suggested Arial and Georgia as alternatives. See Fonts page for more information.

Stationery and business cards can be ordered through Typecraft.

Yes, as part of the online identity toolkit, we have provided a list of recommended vendors for design, photography, writing, and editing. Please visit the Vendors page for more information; you must log in to the site using your Access.Caltech credentials.