Color Palettes

The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) color palette consists of 40 colors. These are not the only colors used by TIOH, as other colors are used for medals and ribbons, but are the ones specifically used for US Air Force emblems. When TIOH completes an emblem package, it includes a manufacturing drawing or “cartoon” used by approved insignia manufacturers to produce an embroidered patch. Each color can be matched to a specific military specification thread color using the “yarn” or “cable” number.

The table below is based on TIOH color palette provided with the emblem package and TIOH’s color conversion list. In addition to yarn/cable numbers, the table shows the corresponding Federal Standard and Pantone Matching System (PMS) color numbers. The Federal Standard number is used to obtain military standard paint for application on signs, aircraft, etc. PMS is a proprietary numbering system for colors used in graphic design developed by Pantone, LLC. By using the PMS number, you can use ensure you use the correct color. For the table below, PMS “Coated” (the color as printed on “coated” paper resulting in glossy finish as found in magazines) us used for the color swatch.  Clicking on the PMS number will take you to the Pantone website which provides conversion numbers for other color standards to include Hex, RGB and CMYK.

The subdued (later woodland or forest subdued) color palette was formally introduced in the Headquarters, Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center Consolidated Base Personnel Office Letter (CBPOL) 79-002, dated 10 January 1979. All five colors used in this palette are in TIOH’s full color palette. It was initially used for subduing patches worn on the subdued utility uniform (Olive Drab fatigues) and later the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU).  The Air Force Clothing Division (later Air Force Clothing Office) subsequently issued Controlled Multiple Address Letter (CMAL) 95-32 (1 November 1995) and CMAL 01-02 (30 March 2001) which reaffirmed the palette.

The desert (later woodland or forest subdued) color palette was formally introduced by the Air Force Clothing Division (later Air Force Clothing Office) in Controlled Multiple Address Letter (CMAL) 95-32 (1 November 1995). All three colors used in this palette are in TIOH’s full color palette. It was used for subduing patches worn on the Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) and the Desert Flight Dress Uniform (DFDU). The palette was reaffirmed in CMAL 01-02 (30 March 2001).

The OEF OCP color palette was developed for patches worn on the OEF OCP uniform. The OEF OCP uniform was formally adopted by the US Air Force for wear on September 29, 2010. Only three of the four colors used in this palette are in TIOH’s full color palette; bagby green is not part of that palette, but was already in use for US Army patches. This color palette was replaced by the OCP color palette in 2018.  It is important to note that the OEF OCP color palette differs from the current OCP color palette with “khaki” replacing “spice brown”.

The current Operational Camouflage Patter (OCP) color palette was formally introduced by the Air Force Clothing Division (later Air Force Clothing Office) in Controlled Multiple Address Letter (CMAL) 18-01 (20 September 2018). It is used for the OCP uniform to include the two piece OCP flightsuit. This palette was largely derived from the OEF OCP color palette which it replaced. For the OCP color palette, “spice brown”, which was used for USAF nametapes, replaced “khaki” from the OEF OCP scheme. Only three of the four colors used in this palette are in TIOH’s full color palette; bagby green is not part of that palette, but was already in use for US Army patches.

Color to Subdued (later Woodland/Forest Subdued)

Headquarters, Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center Consolidated Base Personnel Office Letter (CBPOL) 79-002, dated 10 January 1979. provided the initial guidance for converting color patches to subdued. It dictated the following:

• Background –  (solid) spruce green or flag blue, (more than 1 color) olive drab
• Borders & Scroll Letters – black
• Scroll Background – olive drab
• Red/Scarlet Colors – garnet
• Major Design Elements – black
• For emblem colors not listed – allowed unit commanders the authority to negotiate with suppliers to acquire thread colors which most closely conform to the subdued emblem concept

Beginning in the 1980s, TIOH started providing color conversions for all new or revised emblems it processed as part of the approved emblem package.

Controlled Multiple Address Letter (CMAL) 95-32 (1 November 1995) revised some of the guidance for subduing patches.  The specific guidance was:

• Background –  (solid) flag blue or spruce green, (more than 1 color) contrasting subdued color
• Borders & Scroll Letters – black
• Scroll background – olive drab
• Red Shades – garnet
• All elements with the Same Color – convert to the same subdued color

This same guidance was retained in CMAL 01-02 (30 March 2001) retained the same guidance from CMAL 95-32 but also introduced the first standardized conversion table from full color to subdued:

While the BDUs were phased out on 1 October 2011, TIOH continued to provide the woodland subdued conversion for new or revised emblems until 2020.

Color to Desert Subdued

Controlled Multiple Address Letter (CMAL) 95-32 (1 November 1995) provided the initial guidance for desert subdued patches. This same guidance was retained in CMAL 01-02 (30 March 2001).