Grissinger for Commissioner
Print Color Specification
Coated stock, finish varies by piece · Color spec v1.1
The authoritative color and print reference for designers, printers, and print shops producing campaign materials. Built to remove any guesswork. For print, the CMYK values are authoritative, build from those. Questions? We're easy to reach. See the contacts at the bottom of the page.
Download the print spec (PDF)
The Design in Application
A production proof of the campaign button, showing every spec on this page working together.
- Campaign Navy for the rings, arched type, and portrait halftone.
- Accent Red reserved for VOTE, the stars, and the hairline rules.
- Campaign Cream as the full button field.
- Light Cream behind the portrait.
Core Color Palette
Click any value to copy it. For print, the CMYK values are authoritative. Build from these, and do not convert from RGB or Pantone or substitute your own values. HEX and RGB are provided for digital and screen use only.
Headlines, rings, type, dark fields, portrait halftone.
Accent only. Stars, rules, the word VOTE.
Main background field.
Secondary background, behind portrait, inset panels.
QR code only. Single-channel black (100K), not rich black.
Unprinted paper.
Production Notes
- 1.Stock finish varies by piece (see Stock by Piece). The CMYK values assume a coated gloss or semi-gloss finish.
- 2.The CMYK values above are authoritative. All swatches are defined in the supplied file. Please do not convert from RGB or from Pantone, and do not substitute your own values.
- 3.The portrait halftone should be built as a single-channel duotone or colorized grayscale riding on Campaign Navy. Please do not process it as a four-color CMYK photograph.
- 4.The QR code must be 100K only. A four-color build softens the edges and can affect scan reliability.
- 5.Reversed cream type on navy and on red requires tight registration. Please check these areas on the proof.
- 6.Hairline rules should be no lighter than 0.5pt.
- 7.Please send a hard proof on the actual stock before the run.
Stock by Piece
Our CMYK palette is calibrated for coated stock, but not every piece is fully coated. Match the finish to the piece.
The CMYK values assume a coated gloss or semi-gloss finish. The colors were designed to look right on coated stock.
Gloss or UV coating on both sides, as with most industry-standard palm cards.
Front is coated gloss or semi-gloss. The back must be uncoated and writable so volunteers can hand-write on it. Do not gloss the back. This is mission critical.
On an uncoated writable side, the same CMYK build will look a little more muted than on the coated side. Please check the uncoated side on the hard proof.
Print Requirements
Union Bug
All print materials must be produced by a union shop and carry the union bug.
The union print shop supplies its own bug artwork. The campaign does not provide it. Place it discreetly along the bottom edge of the piece, near the “Paid for by” disclaimer.
Required Disclaimer
This disclaimer must appear on every printed piece. Use the exact wording. Click to copy:
Templates, Bleed & Safe Margins
The campaign design team maintains print-ready templates that follow industry-standard bleed and safe-margin specifications for each material type. Rather than rebuild them, request the correct template for your piece from the contacts below. The templates are the source of truth for dimensions, bleed, and trim.
Questions About Specs?
We're easy to get ahold of. Reach either of us with anything: colors, templates, approvals.
#theCommissinger · ryangrissinger.com · Color spec v1.1, July 2026