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Palette

Scriptorium Sepia Ink

A collection of warm, muted browns and creams that echo the historical texture of aged ink on ancient parchment.

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Built with Scriptorium Sepia Ink.

A bolder treatment that stretches the primary and secondary colors across a full gradient banner.

Data visualization

#F5DEB3#DEB887#D2B48C#C19A6B#A08060

Palette guide

How to use Scriptorium Sepia Ink

Overview

The Scriptorium Sepia Ink palette offers a sophisticated range of warm, muted browns and creams, perfect for evoking a sense of history and timeless elegance. Inspired by aged parchment and traditional sepia ink, this collection features the delicate cream of #F5DEB3, the inviting mid-tones of #DEB887 and #D2B48C, and the deep, rich character of #C19A6B and #A08060. Designers and developers can leverage this palette to craft experiences that feel authentic, nostalgic, and subtly luxurious. It's ideal for projects requiring a vintage aesthetic without sacrificing modern appeal, creating a cohesive and evocative visual narrative.

Best used for

  • Vintage-inspired branding and logos
  • Historical fiction book covers and layouts
  • Website themes for antique shops or heritage brands
  • Digital scrapbooking and photo editing with a retro filter
  • Packaging for artisanal, handmade, or traditional products
  • Interior design concepts for libraries or rustic spaces

Suggested color roles

primary

#C19A6B. A strong, earthy brown, excellent for main headings, prominent buttons, or large sections that need to feel grounded and rich.

secondary

#DEB887. This lighter, inviting brown works well for subheadings, secondary calls-to-action, or backgrounds of content blocks, offering warmth without being overwhelming.

accent

#A08060. The deepest sepia tone provides a sophisticated accent for small details, icons, hover states, or important text elements that require a touch of gravitas.

background

#F5DEB3. A soft, creamy parchment shade, ideal for primary backgrounds, mimicking the look of aged paper and providing a serene canvas for content.

text

#A08060. For maximum readability against #F5DEB3, this deep sepia offers excellent contrast. For body text on #DEB887, a very dark brown or charcoal would also be effective.

Accessibility notes

  • Ensure sufficient contrast between #F5DEB3 (background) and #A08060 (text) for optimal readability, especially for body copy.
  • Avoid using #DEB887 and #D2B48C adjacent to each other for small text or critical UI elements due to their similar luminance.
  • When placing text on mid-tone backgrounds like #DEB887, opt for #A08060 or a near-black for strong contrast.
  • Test color combinations with accessibility tools to meet WCAG guidelines, particularly for interactive elements.

Recommended combinations

Parchment & Ink

Creates a classic, high-contrast look suitable for traditional document layouts, body text on backgrounds, or vintage-themed websites.

#F5DEB3 · #A08060 · #C19A6B

Aged Leather

Ideal for evoking warmth, tradition, and luxury in branding, UI components, or elements that require a deep, rich, tactile feel.

#C19A6B · #DEB887 · #A08060

Subtle Gradient

Excellent for creating soft, atmospheric backgrounds, subtle transitions, or layered visual effects that add depth without stark contrast.

#DEB887 · #D2B48C · #C19A6B

CSS variables

:root {
  --scriptorium-sepia-ink-1: #F5DEB3;
  --scriptorium-sepia-ink-2: #DEB887;
  --scriptorium-sepia-ink-3: #D2B48C;
  --scriptorium-sepia-ink-4: #C19A6B;
  --scriptorium-sepia-ink-5: #A08060;
}

Tailwind config

theme: {
  extend: {
    colors: {
      "scriptorium-sepia-ink": {
        1: "#F5DEB3",
        2: "#DEB887",
        3: "#D2B48C",
        4: "#C19A6B",
        5: "#A08060",
      }
    }
  }
}

Related searches

sepia color schemesvintage brown paletteantique paper colorsretro neutral designold book aesthetic colors

Palette colors

Hex values

Color 1#F5DEB3
·
Color 2#DEB887
·
Color 3#D2B48C
·
Color 4#C19A6B
·
Color 5#A08060
·

Accessibility

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