Mastercard Branding Requirements

As of 1 November 2018, Mastercard announced the next step in its brand evolution. Given the global recognition of the red and yellow interlocking circles, the full-color Mastercard Brand Mark, without the word “mastercard” (referred to as the Mastercard Symbol), is featured on cards, merchant websites, and decal stickers.

See the most current updates:

Access Marks (effective 1 January 2021), Mastercard introduces revised standards for the display of the Mastercard®, Maestro®, and Cirrus® Brand Marks in relation to access marks displayed. An access mark is a mark that identifies a service that enables access to and/or acceptance of a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus account.

1. Choose the correct Mastercard branding (“logo”) for your specific use. See Configurations for more guidance.

Image of the Mastercard Symbol Image of the Grayscale Mastercard Brand Mark Image of the Solid Mastercard Brand Mark Image of the Mastercard decal sticker

*For a limited time period, in specified select markets, Mastercard permits the full-color Mastercard Brand Mark to be used at merchant locations (physical, websites, and apps) to signal acceptance and in marketing materials to market and promote Mastercard products and services. If you need further guidance on which Mastercard branding to use, please consult your Mastercard Representative or contact us.

2. Always provide sufficient contrast with the background. See background contrast.

Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo
Image of insufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of insufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo

3. Always surround the logo with sufficient clear space. See minimum clear space.

Image of Mastercard Symbol clear space

4. For cards, please get guidelines and artwork from the Card Design Standards at mastercardconnect.com

5. Always reproduce the logo at a size that is clear and legible. See minimum size.

6. When referencing Mastercard® in text, use an uppercase “M” and lowercase “c”, with no space between “Master” and “card”. See using the Mastercard name in text.

Mastercard Symbol

The Mastercard Symbol is comprised of the Mastercard circles and associated trademark symbol ™ without the word "mastercard®." The Symbol is used at merchant locations (physical, websites, and apps) to signal acceptance and in marketing materials to market and promote Mastercard products and services.

  • The Symbol must be used in full color only. See color specifications.
  • The Symbol must never be used in grayscale or other colors. (Instead, use the grayscale or solid Mastercard Brand Mark as noted in the next section.)
  • Artwork is available for download and must not be altered.
  • Download artwork for cards at mastercardconnect.com.
Image of the Mastercard Symbol configuration

Note: When used to signify acceptance, the Symbol may also be referred to as an Acceptance Mark.

Mastercard Brand Mark

The Mastercard Brand Mark is comprised of the Mastercard circles and associated trademark symbol ™ and the word “mastercard” followed by a registered trademark symbol ®.

The grayscale and solid versions of the Mastercard Brand Mark are used in marketing materials when printing methods prohibit the use of the full-color Symbol artwork.

The Mastercard Brand Mark is available in both vertical and horizontal configurations. Use the one that best fits your needs.

  • Grayscale and solid versions are available for use on white or light backgrounds (“positive”) and black or dark backgrounds (“reverse”). See color specifications.
  • Grayscale and solid versions must never be used on card fronts.
  • Artwork is available for download and must not be altered.
  • Download artwork for acceptance and marketing here.
  • Download artwork for cards at mastercardconnect.com.

VERTICAL CONFIGURATION

Image of the vertical Mastercard grayscale version Image of the vertical Mastercard solid version

HORIZONTAL CONFIGURATION

Image of the horizontal Mastercard grayscale version Image of the horizontal Mastercard solid version

Note: The ™ and / or ® trademark symbols (or other symbol required under local law) must be used. They should remain at the relative size provided in the authorized artwork files and be scaled proportionally with the marks even though their legibility may be compromised when the marks are at very small sizes or reproduced in certain media. The trademark symbols (or other symbol required under local law) must not be enlarged independently to increase legibility.

Decal stickers

  • The decal sticker (also known as the “Acceptance Mark”) is comprised of the Mastercard Symbol on a specifically-sized black background.
  • Decal stickers are physically printed signage used to signify acceptance at retail locations such as on door decals, card terminals, or ATMs.
  • Decal stickers and other signage must not be printed in grayscale.
  • Artwork is available for download and must not be altered.
Image of the Mastercard decal sticker full color version

Mastercard debit/débit and Mastercard credit & debit/crédit & débit

Alternate marks are available for merchants who want to underscore the specific products they accept at the point-of-sale/point-of-interaction: “debit” or “credit & debit”. These marks are for use by merchants in acceptance situations only. They should not be used to replace the Mastercard Symbol or Mastercard Brand Mark in marketing or other materials. These marks are available in English and French.


FOR USE ON PAYMENT PAGES OF WEBSITES AND IN APPS

Image of the vertical Mastercard full color version Image of the vertical Mastercard grayscale version Image of the vertical Mastercard solid version Image of the vertical Mastercard solid version

FOR USE ON DECAL STICKERS

Image of the horizontal Mastercard full color version Image of the horizontal Mastercard grayscale version Image of the horizontal Mastercard solid version Image of the horizontal Mastercard solid version

Note: The ™ and / or ® trademark symbols (or other symbol required under local law) must be used. They should remain at the relative size provided in the authorized artwork files and be scaled proportionally with the marks even though their legibility may be compromised when the marks are at very small sizes or reproduced in certain media. The trademark symbols (or other symbol required under local law) must not be enlarged independently to increase legibility.

Not all configurations of Mastercard branding are available in all color versions.

  • The Mastercard Symbol must be used in full-color only. When technical limitations prohibit the use of full-color, use the solid or grayscale Mastercard Brand Mark.
  • On physical cards, the Mastercard Symbol must be printed in full-color match PANTONE®* only. Refer to the Card Design Standards published on mastercardconnect.com
  • The decal sticker is available in full-color only and must be reproduced in full-color match PANTONE only.
  • Colors are built into the downloadable artwork files and must not be altered.

COLOR

Mastercard Red
RGB: 235/0/27
HEX: EB001B
CMYK: 0/100/98/3
PANTONE: 2035 C
Mastercard Orange
RGB: 255/95/0
HEX: FF5F00
CMYK: 0/75/100/0
PANTONE: 165 C
Mastercard Yellow
RGB: 247/158/27
HEX: F79E1B
CMYK: 0/44/100/0
PANTONE: 1375 C
Mastercard Symbol color specifications

GRAYSCALE AND SOLID

Mastercard Dark Gray
CMYK: 0/0/0/75
Mastercard Medium Gray
CMYK: 0/0/0/52
Mastercard Light Gray
CMYK: 0/0/0/28
Mastercard Brand Mark grayscale specifications Mastercard Brand Mark solid color specifications

Note: Color specifications apply to vertical configurations as well.

*

The color values shown here have not been evaluated by Pantone, Inc. for accuracy and may not match the PANTONE Color Standard. Consult correct PANTONE Color Publications for accurate color. PANTONE® is the property of Pantone, Inc.

**

For online/digital RGB use or PANTONE printing, the trademark symbol (™) next to the yellow circle must be reproduced in Mastercard Yellow. For CMYK printing, the trademark symbol (™) must be black for the positive mark or white for the reverse mark. For all uses, the registered trademark symbol (®) to the right of the word “mastercard®” must be black for the positive mark or white for the reverse mark.

To ensure legibility of Mastercard branding, never use the logos at sizes smaller than the minimum size requirements.

Mastercard branding must appear in an uncluttered space free from text and other graphics.

  • Surround the Mastercard Symbol with clear space of at least 1/4 the width of one of the circles within the Symbol.
Image of Mastercard Symbol clear space

Sufficient contrast between the background and the Mastercard branding is required.

Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of sufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo
Image of insufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo Image of insufficient background contrast for the Mastercard logo

Lettercase

When referencing Mastercard® in text, use an uppercase “M” and lowercase “c” with no space between “Master” and “card”. The name must not appear with a capital “C”. Mastercard should appear in the same font as its surrounding text. The name must not be modified in any way. The name may appear in all uppercase letters only if the font style of the user interface or communication also appears in all uppercase letters.

Image of the correct spelling of the Mastercard name
Image of incorrect spelling or use of the Mastercard name Image of incorrect spelling or use of the Mastercard name Image of incorrect spelling or use of the Mastercard name Image of incorrect spelling or use of the Mastercard name Image of incorrect spelling or use of the Mastercard name

Registered trademark symbol (®)

In the first or most prominent text use of Mastercard on a page or screen (after use, if any, in a headline), the ® trademark symbol (or other symbol required under local law) is required. In subsequent use on that page or screen, the ® trademark symbol may be omitted.

Read-through

Mastercard branding may be used as a read-through in a headline, but may not be used as a read-through in the body of a communication. When used in text, it must be set in the same typeface as the surrounding text.

Image of correct read-through of the Mastercard logo Image of incorrect read-through of the Mastercard logo

Trademark attribution notice

When the Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus name and/or Mastercard Symbol or Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus Brand Mark are used, the following trademark attribution notice must be included once in the communication, as applicable:

  • “Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.”
  • “Maestro is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated or its affiliates.”
  • “Cirrus is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.”

Note: On digital communications and small-size marketing communications, the above trademark attribution notice is not required.

Translations

The Mastercard name must appear in English only. The Mastercard name must not be translated into other languages nor appear in another alphabet except for specific authorized versions in Chinese (translation), Arabic (transliteration), and Georgian (transliteration).

Parity

In communications that promote more than one acceptance mark, the Mastercard name and/or branding must be presented with size, frequency, color treatment, location, and prominence equal to that of all other acceptance marks and/or logos presented.

Note: As used on brand.mastercard.com, an access mark is any name, logo, sound, haptic, visual depiction, trade name, logotype, trademark, service mark, trade designation, and/or other designation, symbol or mark not licensed by Mastercard, that identifies a service through which a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus account can be accessed and/or accepted for a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus transaction.

All Mastercard® branding, including the decal stickers, must be displayed at the point of interaction where payment options and/or access marks are presented.

At the point of interaction, Mastercard branding must be displayed at parity (in terms of size, frequency, color treatment, and location) with all other acceptance marks displayed, with Mastercard preferably in the first position.

At the point of interaction, Mastercard branding, including the decal stickers, must be afforded similar prominence to any access mark displayed (characteristics to consider for similar prominence, include size, frequency, color treatment, and co-location within the same field of vision), except in the e-commerce environment as follows. In a digital environment, when displaying an access mark checkout option, Mastercard branding is not required to be displayed if (1) the cardholder can readily navigate from the screen displaying the access mark checkout option to a screen displaying a checkout option where the Mastercard branding is appropriately displayed or (2) Mastercard branding is appropriately displayed prior to payment confirmation, when use of an access mark checkout option is the only available checkout option. Access mark marketing materials (i.e., promotional signage, checkout lane dividers, etc.) are not required to include Mastercard branding.

Illustrative, but not exhaustive, examples of compliant displays follow.

General

Image of sufficient logo parity Image of sufficient logo parity

Note: All point of interaction (POI) locations that accept Mastercard must display a Mastercard Mark at parity (in terms of size, frequency, color treatment and location) with all other acceptance marks (with the exception of Mastercard POI locations in the U.S., where a specific regional Standard that permits otherwise exists. Refer to Mastercard Rules, Rule 5.11.1 “Discrimination” of Chapter 16, “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules”).

Note: Gray boxes in the examples of displays represent a payment option or access mark, as applicable. As used on brand.mastercard.com, an access mark is any name, logo, sound, haptic, visual depiction, trade name, logotype, trademark, service mark, trade designation, and/or other designation, symbol or mark not licensed by Mastercard, that identifies a service through which a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus account can be accessed and/or accepted for a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus transaction.

Use at physical merchant locations

For complete information, refer to Use at physical merchant locations.

Use at digital merchant locations

For complete information, refer to Signaling digital payment acceptance.

Mastercard family of brands
When more than one Mastercard brand is accepted, display the marks horizontally or vertically in the approved sequence:

  1. Mastercard®
  2. Maestro®
  3. Cirrus®

Refer to the Other Marks section for artwork and requirements.

Refer to the Other Marks section for artwork and requirements.

Note: Beginning 1 November 2018, the full-color Mastercard Brand Mark without the word “mastercard®” is featured on cards. This Mastercard Symbol branding is required on all physical cards manufactured on or after 1 July 2020.

Refer to the Card Design Standards published on mastercardconnect.com

Note: Mastercard Symbol branding is required on all physical cards manufactured after 1 July 2020.

All use of card images in marketing materials must comply with the requirements specified in the Card Design Standards manual published on mastercardconnect.com, and the requirements below:

  • The card image must include Mastercard branding on the card front in compliance with the Card Design Standards in full-color and at the exact size as it would appear on the actual card plastic.
  • The entire card front (including the entire Mastercard branding) must be fully visible, clear, and legible.
  • The display of account information is optional. If included, the account information (the Primary Account Number (PAN), the effective date and/or expiration date, and the cardholder name) and all card face design requirements must be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Card Design Standards.
  • When a cardholder name is present on the card image, the issuer must use the name M. Molina in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region or the name Lee M. Cardholder or John M. Cardholder in all other Regions.
  • When a PAN is present on the card image:
    • For Mastercard cards, either a bank identification number (BIN) assigned to the issuer by Mastercard or 541275 or 222100 followed by any combination of digits up to 16 digits must be present on the card image.
    • For Maestro cards, either a BIN assigned to the issuer by Mastercard or 012345 followed by any combination of digits up to 16 digits must be present on the card image.
  • Card images must be present at a size that is clear and legible.
  • When a card image is not present, or the issuer name/logo does not appear on the card image, the following statement must appear on the marketing material in a location chosen by the issuer: “This card is issued by [Full Issuer Name] pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.”
  • Mastercard cards must be depicted at parity (in terms of size, frequency, color treatment, and location) with all cards depicted in the same communication. Refer to Using with other payment options and access marks.
  • Illustrative examples of compliant displays follows.

    Illustrative examples of non-compliant card images follows.

  • The full Mastercard or Maestro program name must be used in the first occurrence (e.g., World Elite Mastercard®), and may also include the name of the issuer or co-brand partner and/or associated program names (e.g., [Issuer Name] [Co-brand partner name] [Issuer and/or Mastercard program name]).
  • After the first occurrence, the full Mastercard or Maestro program name may be abbreviated to “Mastercard” or the issuer or co-brand partner name (e.g., [Issuer Name] “Mastercard®”) in subsequent occurrences within the same communication, and must appear in the same font as the surrounding text.
  • The word “card” must not be a part of a card program name (e.g., World Elite Mastercard® is correct and World Elite Mastercard® Card is not correct). However, when you are referring to the “card” in marketing materials, the word “card” is recommended to be included (e.g., “Your World Elite Mastercard card has a host of benefits.” or “Your World Elite Mastercard has a host of benefits.”).
  • Mastercard-provided program identifier artwork used on cards (as defined in the Card Design Standards) must not be used in marketing materials except when being displayed on a card image.

At entry into a merchant location

Display the Mastercard® decal sticker on a main entry door or on a nearby window to signal acceptance. If these locations are not available, the decal sticker must be displayed so it is seen easily from the outside. Illustrative, but not exhaustive, examples of compliant and non compliant displays follow.

Note: For merchant decal stickers, the primary source to receive decals is the financial institution that processes the merchant’s transactions. However, for convenience, merchants may download artwork to create custom signage or order limited quantities from Mastercard.

Image of compliant merchant door
Image of non-compliant merchant door

Note: Non-compliant example becomes compliant when Mastercard branding is added to the display in compliance with Using with other payment options and access marks* (e.g., (1) with acceptance marks, adding Mastercard branding at parity with size, frequency, color treatment, location, and prominence equal to that of all other acceptance marks and (2) with access marks, adding Mastercard branding with similar prominence to any access mark displayed (characteristics to consider for similar prominence, include size, frequency, color treatment, and co-location within the same field of vision)).

Note: Gray boxes in the examples of displays represent a payment option or access mark, as applicable. As used on brand.mastercard.com, an access mark is any name, logo, sound, haptic, visual depiction, trade name, logotype, trademark, service mark, trade designation, and/or other designation, symbol or mark not licensed by Mastercard, that identifies a service through which a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus account can be accessed and/or accepted for a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus transaction.

At the point of interaction

Also display Mastercard branding at the point of interaction (POI) to encourage card use. Examples of POI branding include: cash register, terminal display, digital display, tent cards, card presenters, etc.

  • Physical decal stickers may be used on cash registers and terminals.
  • For digital cash register or terminal displays, optimized artwork is available for download.
  • The Mastercard Checkout Sound and Animation may be played and/or displayed at the POI. Please contact your Mastercard representative or contact us for more information.

Illustrative, but not exhaustive, examples of compliant and non compliant displays follow.

Image of compliant merchant payment terminal
Image of non-compliant merchant payment terminal

Note: Non-compliant example becomes compliant when Mastercard branding is added to the display in compliance with Using with other payment options and access marks* (e.g., (1) with acceptance marks, adding Mastercard branding at parity with size, frequency, color treatment, location, and prominence equal to that of all other acceptance marks and (2) with access marks, adding Mastercard branding with similar prominence to any access mark displayed (characteristics to consider for similar prominence, include size, frequency, color treatment, and co-location within the same field of vision)).

Note: Gray boxes in the examples of displays represent a payment option or access mark, as applicable. As used on brand.mastercard.com, an access mark is any name, logo, sound, haptic, visual depiction, trade name, logotype, trademark, service mark, trade designation, and/or other designation, symbol or mark not licensed by Mastercard, that identifies a service through which a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus account can be accessed and/or accepted for a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus transaction.

*With the exception of Mastercard in the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, where a specific regional Standard that permits otherwise exists. Refer to Mastercard Rules, Rule 5.11.1 “Discrimination” of Chapter 16, “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules”.

For complete information on using the Mastercard brand in digital payments, refer to the Use in digital payments section of the Mastercard Branding Requirements on the Global Mastercard Brand Center.

All ATM locations must display the appropriate decal sticker for the brands which are accepted on or near the main entrance. Mastercard branding may also appear on ATM screens.

Decal stickers must be:

  • Clearly visible on or near the cash machine and must not appear only on the ATM screen.
  • Displayed horizontally or vertically following the approved sequence: Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, along with other payment options or access marks displayed.
  • Displayed at parity (in terms of size, frequency, color treatment, and location) with all other acceptance marks displayed.
  • Displayed with similar prominence to any access mark displayed (characteristics to consider for similar prominence, include size, frequency, color treatment, and co-location within the same field of vision).

The Mastercard Checkout Sound and Animation may be played and/or displayed on the ATM screen as a form of confirmation. Please contact your Mastercard representative or contact us for more information.

Illustrative, but not exhaustive, examples of compliant and non compliant displays follow.

Images of compliant Mastercard decal stickers in use at an ATM
Images of non compliant Mastercard decal stickers in use at an ATM

Note: Non-compliant examples become compliant when Mastercard branding is added to the display in compliance with Using with other payment options and access marks* (e.g., (1) with acceptance marks, adding Mastercard, Maestro, and/or Cirrus branding at parity with size, frequency, color treatment, location, and prominence equal to that of all other acceptance marks and (2) with access marks, adding Mastercard, Maestro, and/or Cirrus branding with similar prominence to any access mark displayed (characteristics to consider for similar prominence, include size, frequency, color treatment, and co-location within the same field of vision)).

Note: Gray boxes in the examples of displays represent a payment option or access mark, as applicable. As used on brand.mastercard.com, an access mark is any name, logo, sound, haptic, visual depiction, trade name, logotype, trademark, service mark, trade designation, and/or other designation, symbol or mark not licensed by Mastercard, that identifies a service through which a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus account can be accessed and/or accepted for a Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus transaction.

*With the exception of Mastercard in the U.S. Region and U.S. Territories, where a specific regional Standard that permits otherwise exists. Refer to Mastercard Rules, Rule 5.11.1 “Discrimination” of Chapter 16, “Additional U.S. Region and U.S. Territory Rules”.

For complete information on using the Mastercard brand on contactless devices, refer to Use in contactless payments section of the Mastercard Branding Requirements on the Global Mastercard Brand Center.

Consistent presentation of Mastercard® branding benefits issuers, acquirers, and merchants, by promoting consumer recognition and card use that builds business. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Do not recolor the Symbol.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand
Do not outline the Symbol.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand
Do not display or reproduce at insufficient resolution or size.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand
Do not create a grayscale decal sticker or Symbol.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand
Do not position the word “mastercard®” within the circles.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand
Do not use the grayscale or solid Symbol without the word “mastercard®”.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand
Do not use a grayscale or solid mark on card fronts.
Image of a common mistake using the Mastercard brand

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