Sepia Black
General Information about Sepia Black
The hex color code #300A04, also known as Sepia Black, is a very dark shade of red-brown. In the RGB color model, it consists of 18.82% red, 3.92% green, and 1.57% blue. This composition results in a color that is perceived as warm and subdued. The color is not part of the web-safe color palette. Sepia Black can evoke feelings of nostalgia, tradition, and earthiness. It is often associated with antique photographs and vintage aesthetics, giving it a classic and timeless appeal. The CMYK values for this color are approximately 0% cyan, 79% magenta, 92% yellow, and 81% black. This indicates that it requires a significant amount of black to achieve its dark, muted tone.
The color #300A04, also known as Sepia Black, presents significant accessibility challenges, especially in web design. Its extremely low luminance value of approximately 0.008 makes it nearly invisible against a standard black background. According to WCAG guidelines, this color fails all contrast ratio tests against both white and light-colored text or user interface elements. To ensure accessibility, it is crucial to avoid using #300A04 for text or interactive components without applying substantial modifications. A much lighter foreground color is needed to meet minimum contrast ratios, or the color should only be used for purely decorative elements where accessibility is not a concern. Providing adequate contrast is essential for users with visual impairments to perceive content effectively. Always test color combinations using accessibility tools to verify compliance with WCAG standards.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
- #401a0e
A slightly lighter shade that offers improved visibility while maintaining a dark, muted aesthetic.
- #502a18
A dark brown that provides better contrast against lighter backgrounds, making it a more accessible choice for text.
- #300000
A very dark red, to be used for decorative design when you want to keep the aesthetic.
Applications
Branding and Corporate Identity
In branding, Sepia Black can be employed to evoke a sense of history, luxury, and sophistication. It's a suitable choice for high-end products, vintage-themed designs, or companies aiming to project a classic, timeless image. However, when incorporated into logos or marketing materials, ensure that it is paired with lighter, contrasting colors to maintain readability and visual appeal. The color can be applied in website footers, background accents or subtle design features to avoid readability issues and maintain the brand identity. In fashion, the color can be used for winter clothing like scarfs or jackets.
Interior Design
In interior design, Sepia Black can serve as a sophisticated accent color, particularly in spaces aiming for a warm, cozy atmosphere. It can be used in small doses for painting window frames, or for creating a feature wall that adds depth and richness to a room. Due to its dark nature, it is best complemented with lighter colors like cream, beige, or warm greys to brighten the space and prevent it from feeling too enclosed. The color is perfect for decorating wooden objects to create a vintage look.
Beauty Products
Sepia black can be incorporated into beauty products to deliver an aesthetic. It is not suited as color by itself but can be used to darken other makeup colors. You can create an illusion of depth to the eyes using it in combination with darker shades. Also, it can be used to create dark shades of lipstick.