Sepia Black
General Information about Sepia Black
The hex color code #2B0407, often referred to as Sepia Black, is a very dark, desaturated red. It resides in the dark end of the color spectrum, possessing a subdued and almost mysterious quality. In the RGB color model, it's composed of 17.1% red, 1.6% green, and 2.7% blue. Its CMYK values are 0% cyan, 90.6% magenta, 74.5% yellow, and 82.7% black. This color evokes feelings of antiquity, sophistication, and understated elegance. Its unique characteristics make it suitable for designs aiming for a vintage or subtly luxurious aesthetic.
The hex color #2B0407, also known as Sepia Black, presents significant accessibility challenges, particularly regarding contrast. Its dark nature results in very low contrast against standard white backgrounds, failing WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards for text and non-text contrast. This means that text rendered in #2B0407 on a white background would be difficult for users with visual impairments to read. To improve accessibility, consider using lighter text colors on this background or employing #2B0407 as a background with brighter foreground elements. Tools like contrast checkers can help determine compliant color pairings. Given its dark nature, ensuring sufficient contrast is paramount for inclusive design.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #33080b
A slightly lighter shade that offers marginally better contrast, especially for smaller text elements.
- #3b2f2f
A dark brown alternative that provides a warmer feel while still remaining relatively dark.
- #800020
Burgundy, a color often associated with richness and sophistication, can be used as an alternative to Sepia Black. It's a deeper shade, offering a touch of warmth and elegance.
Applications
Web Design - Background and Borders
In web design, Sepia Black can be used for background elements or borders to create a sophisticated and muted aesthetic. Because of its darkness and resulting accessibility issues it is unsuited for body text. It can be effective when paired with lighter accent colors to provide contrast. It's particularly useful for websites aiming for a vintage or classic feel, or when aiming to signal luxury or elegance. However, you need to be careful about color contrast.
Fashion Design - Clothing and Accessories
Sepia Black can be incorporated into fashion designs for clothing items such as dresses, skirts, or accessories like belts and handbags. It offers a sophisticated and timeless look, suitable for creating elegant and understated pieces. It pairs well with gold or silver accents for a touch of glamour, or with lighter, brighter colors for a more contrasting and eye-catching effect. The color is most effective as a solid color for a dominant design element.
Interior Design - Accent Color
In interior design, Sepia Black can be used as an accent color for walls, furniture, or decorative elements. It can create a cozy and warm atmosphere, perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or studies. It can be complemented with other earthy tones like beige, brown, or green, as well as with metallic accents like brass or copper, to enhance its richness and sophistication. It can also be contrasted with lighter colors, like white or cream, to create a more dynamic and visually interesting space.