Sepia Black
General Information about Sepia Black
Sepia Black, represented by the hexadecimal color code #2E0906, is a very dark shade of brown, almost black with a subtle reddish undertone. This color evokes a sense of antiquity, warmth, and earthiness. In the RGB color model, it consists of 18.43% red, 3.53% green, and 2.35% blue. The CMYK color model representation is 0% cyan, 80.87% magenta, 87.25% yellow, and 81.57% black. Sepia Black is often associated with vintage photographs and antique documents due to its resemblance to the color of aged paper and ink. It is considered a sophisticated, subdued color choice that can add depth and richness to various designs.
The hex color #2E0906, also known as Sepia Black, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially in web design. Its extremely low luminance value of approximately 1.8% means it offers very poor contrast against white or light backgrounds. This makes text or graphical elements using this color difficult for users with visual impairments to perceive. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text. Sepia Black falls far short of these recommendations. Therefore, it's crucial to pair #2E0906 with very light colors to ensure readability and usability for all users. Using contrast checking tools during development is essential to verify adequate contrast ratios when using such a dark color.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #331a14
A slightly lighter shade of brown, offering a touch more visibility while retaining a similar aesthetic.
- #44002b
A deep burgundy that provides a bit more vibrancy and can offer better contrast against certain backgrounds.
- #3d1c02
A dark chocolate color for a softer, warmer alternative to the deep sepia, enhancing readability on various backgrounds.
Applications
Vintage Web Design
Sepia Black can be employed to establish a classic, aged aesthetic in website designs. This can be achieved by using the color as a background for vintage-themed websites or blogs, or as a subtle accent color in UI elements to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Utilizing Sepia Black sparingly can help create a sophisticated, historical feel without overwhelming the user.
Cosmetics
In the realm of beauty, Sepia Black can be incorporated into eyeshadow palettes or eyeliner formulations. Its deep, muted tone is suitable for creating smoky eye looks or adding subtle definition to the eyes. This color adds depth without being overtly bold, making it versatile for both daytime and evening makeup applications.
Fashion Apparel
In fashion, Sepia Black offers an alternative to traditional black, lending a warmer, more nuanced tone to apparel. This color can be used in garments to create a vintage-inspired look or to provide a soft contrast against lighter colors. It's also suitable for accessories such as belts, bags, and shoes.