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The McMaster Logo

The McMaster logo represents McMaster’s dedication to collaboration and our strong history of innovation.

It’s important that the McMaster logo appears on all official materials, documents or communications produced by or for the University. The McMaster logo consists of two elements: the McMaster lettering wordmark (in the Garamond typeface) and the shield. These elements have a fixed relationship and must never be separated, modified or altered in any way and must be presented in approved colours and font only as outlined in these guidelines. The McMaster logo may not be used for commercial use or by any unauthorized individual or organization.

An image featuring the McMaster logo on a transparent background. The text is set in Heritage Grey, and the shield is a combination of heritage grey, heritage maroon and heritage gold.

Expandable List

To improve accessibility and readability, the kerning, or spacing between the letters of the McMaster logo, has been increased.

You can download the updated McMaster logo suite from the Brand Resource Library > Logos > McMaster University.

To have an approved logo lockup suites created, please contact brandmrk@mcmaster.ca.
An image featuring the McMaster logo on a transparent background. The text is set in Heritage Grey, and the shield is a combination of heritage grey, heritage maroon and heritage gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logo updated January 2024. Please ensure the latest logo version is being used. 

Do not:

  • Alter the size, relationship or position of the type or the shield in the McMaster logo
  • Alter the colour of any part of the McMaster logo beyond the approved variations provided in this guideline
  • Overprint type or photos, or place elements over the McMaster logo
  • Add borders or other graphic elements to the McMaster logo
  • Separate the elements of the McMaster logo
  • Lockup with existing Faculty symbol
  • Create your own custom logo lockups

A visual example showing three incorrect uses of the McMaster logo. One is the shield by itself, one is the shield on the wrong side of the words "McMaster University", and the final one is the shield on the wrong side of the words "McMaster University," which are also incorrectly spaced.

The approved McMaster logo colour variations are illustrated below. When possible, the full-colour version is always preferred. Always use the artwork files that are provided. The logos below use McMaster Heritage Maroon, McMaster Heritage Grey, McMaster Heritage Gold, and white. The single-colour logo, in either black or white, can be used when the full-colour logo cannot be reproduced. It is ideal for single-colour printing, etching, stamping, engraving, and embossing.

An image featuring the McMaster logo on a transparent background. The text is set in Heritage Grey, and the shield is a combination of heritage grey, heritage maroon and heritage gold.An image featuring the McMaster logo on a maroon background. The text is set in white, and the shield is a combination of heritage grey, heritage maroon and heritage gold. An image featuring the McMaster logo on a transparent background. The text is set in black, and the shield is set in black and white. An image featuring the McMaster logo on a maroon background. The text and shield are set in white.

To ensure the integrity of the McMaster logo, it is surrounded by a clear space. Do not crowd this clear space with typography, imagery, or any other elements except in approved logo lockups. The following shows the minimum amount of clear space surrounding the McMaster logo. Use the same guideline to maintain the protected space in other McMaster logo applications, regardless of the number of colours used to reproduce it.

A standard version of the McMaster logo with blue guides to show how much space to leave on all sides.

Minimum size requirements have been created to ensure the legibility of the McMaster logo and the Brighter World logo. However, the requirements may differ depending on the medium and process used for print. Always use vector-based master art for reproductions, ensuring sharpness at any scale, especially at the minimum size. Pay strict attention to the legibility of the logo. For this reason, the McMaster logo should never be smaller than the size specified below when printed at the optimum resolution of at least 300 dpi or on-screen when displayed on a calibrated screen.

A visual example showing the McMaster logo. The copy says "minimum size, print" and shows that the logo should be no less than 1 inch in length.A visual example showing the McMaster logo. The copy says "optimal size, digital" and shows that the logo should be no more than 100 pixels in length.A visual example showing the McMaster logo. The copy says "minimum size, mobile" and shows that the logo should be no less than 75 pixels in length.

McMaster University is one of Canada’s historic and most prestigious public research universities, it was officially created through an Act of the Ontario Legislative Assembly that received royal assent in 1887. This legacy should be strategically emphasized in a closer arrangement with the McMaster logo.

This arrangement should only be used in special circumstances, when the prestigious history of the university needs to be the leading message, as on the Viewbook cover.

DO NOT:

  • Manually type “Since 1887”
  • Rearrange the elements
  • Replace the colour
  • Change the font

One of the various McMaster logos in circulation. The McMaster logo is on the left, the words "Since 1887" are on the right, and a solid vertical line separates the two.

Existing Faculty symbols are permitted for use but should always be unlocked with the McMaster logo (or subsequent logos) or the Brighter World logo. It can only be used when it’s placed at a significant distance from the McMaster logo and Brighter World logo so that it is clear that it’s not part of those lockups.

An image showing four incorrect uses of the McMaster logo when placed next to a faculty logo. The faculty logo is the Engineering fireball.

The McMaster logo may not be used for commercial use or by any unauthorized individual or organization. The use of the McMaster name and any McMaster logos require written approval from the McMaster Marketing team. All partners and/or vendors are required to complete and sign the McMaster Trademark License Agreement. 

To request the use of the McMaster name and logo, please contact: brandmrk@mcmaster.ca