Canadian Heritage Signature & the Canada Wordmark

Presenting the Signature and Wordmark

The following rules are fundamental to corporate identity and should be observed when presenting the signature and wordmark.

Visual Criteria

To ensure the integrity of corporate signatures and symbols the following criteria apply:

  • they may not be altered in any way;
  • they should be displayed in generous open space, free from close association with any interfering or distracting elements;
  • they may not appear on a visually conflicting background;
  • when presenting the signature and wordmark, they should be displayed as two distinct elements;
  • the wordmark may not form part of a headline, phrase or sentence.

Relative Size

The "Canada" wordmark has been defined as the dominant symbol of the federal identity; this aspect should be reflected when presenting the wordmark.

Sizing practice

Sizing practice

Colours and Printing

The basic colours of the government's corporate identity are FIP red, black and white. The flag in the signature and wordmark appears in red, while the type is rendered in black. Notwithstanding this rule, there is much flexibility when using other colours for the signature and "Canada" wordmark.

When using an alternative colour for the signature and wordmark please:

  • ensure sufficient contrast with the background; and
  • use the same colour for both flag and type
  • use the same colour for both signature and wordmark

Printing - 4 colour process:

When printing the FIP red in 4 colour process, use a combination of 100% yellow and 100% magenta.

Printing - PMS colours (Pantone Matching System):

It is recognized in the industry that PMS-032 and PMS-485 can be used as FIP red equivalent. PMS-032 is preferred for small format printing and PMS-485 is preferred for large format printing.

For more information on the Federal Identity Program and its requirements, please click here: Federal Identity Program Manual.

Please click below to download a ZIP file, containing EPS, TIF, and JPG versions of the wordmark or signature of your choice. EPS files are vector-based and suited for any format of printing. TIF files are high-resolution files used for print products. JPG are low-resolution files used for web products.