Publishing and Communications Guidelines

Contents

Branding
Color Palette
Web Files
Audio and Video
PowerPoint Presentations
Family of Products
Special Uses of the AHRQ Logo
Artwork File Formats
Additional Information

AHRQ has created a branded identity so external audiences can easily recognize our messages and materials. This section provides an overview of how to apply AHRQ's branded identity and design elements to products and materials.

Branding

The HHS-AHRQ branding must be included on all official, AHRQ-sponsored products produced in-house or by a contractor. Products include reports, toolkits, webinar registration pages, and other products. Specific use and placement of logos should be discussed with an AHRQ managing editor. Contractors must request the branding files from the managing editor and may not create their own logos. Grantees will not use the HHS or AHRQ logos on their products.

The branding is a combination of these design elements:

• HHS logo (Department level)
• AHRQ logo (Agency level)
• When permitted: other program logo or identification

Note: Place the following at the bottom of the first page of the document.

Examples follow of how to place logos for other programs, partners, and Federal agencies. An example of the back of a publication is also shown.

Teamed with user-friendly name of program

Teamed with non-Federal partner

Teamed with other Federal agency

Back of publication

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Color Palette

Overarching Agency products use a specific color palette:  

♦ PMS 300 (RGB 0, 94, 184; CMYK 99, 50, 0, 0)

♦ PMS 2613 (RGB 103, 30, 117; CMYK 74, 99, 5, 11)

♦ PMS 123 (RGB, 255, 199, 44; CMYK 0, 19, 89, 0)

Agency product examples

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Web Files

For header, footer, and subordinate page header graphics, as well as implementation source codes, contact Tonya McCarther, 301-427-1392. Do not create custom headers or footers for AHRQ. Custom headers and footers for specific projects (e.g., HCUP) may be used with the AHRQ header and footer on third-level domain sites.

Web header 

Web footer

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Audio and Video

AHRQ-HHS branded logos must be included on all official, AHRQ-funded products produced in-house or by a contractor, including audio and video. For specific information about the AHRQ branding for audio and video products, refer to section 1B of these publishing guidelines.

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PowerPoint Presentations

AHRQ staff are required to use the AHRQ slide template (PowerPoint, 1.8 MB) for all presentations. It is available on the AHRQ intranet. Contractors can use the AHRQ slide template for presentations they make on the Agency’s behalf. AHRQ project officers can provide the template file. If contractors opt to use their own template, they must include HHS-AHRQ branding on all slides.

Contractors may not use their logos on AHRQ slide presentations; however, the contractor company name may appear on the title slide in small but visible type.

During AHRQ's 35th anniversary, staff are required to use the custom templates developed for this year.

AHRQ 35th Anniversary Slide Templates

Master Slide Template Examples

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Family of Products

Products for AHRQ’s major programs have a look that ties them together. Colors and design elements give them their own identity within the AHRQ brand.

Consult the managing editor for product design specifications for AHRQ’s major programs.

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Special Uses of the AHRQ Logo

In most cases, the AHRQ logo must appear with the HHS logo. In some cases, the AHRQ logo may appear by itself. General guidance follows:

• Do not use the AHRQ logo if it may appear to be an endorsement.
• If other HHS and Federal agencies provide their logos, AHRQ permits its logo to be used.
• Consult the OC managing editor before using the logo.

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Artwork File Formats

The AHRQ logo is available in several formats. Use the following table to determine which format to request.

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Additional Information

Doreen Bonnett
Division of Print and Electronic Publishing
Office of Communications
Phone: 301-427-1899