Public selection process for a new State Seal
The state seal is the official emblem of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Established by the Legislature in 2024, the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission was tasked with recommending new state symbols through a statewide public process by the end of fiscal year 2026.
When a new State Seal is selected, this page will be updated to provide access to current resources.
General guidelines
- The State Seal should only be used for official communications to signify that the communication is from an official department of the Commonwealth
- It must not be used for personal or private materials outside of the jurisdiction of your office, department, or agency, including in contractor, vendor, or third-party communications
- By law, it cannot be used for advertising or commercial purposes
Contact the Public Records Division at (617) 727-2832 with any questions regarding appropriate uses.
Color variants
Full color
This is the primary color use of the seal that can be used on all backgrounds.
Black
The black variant of the seal has a transparent background and may be used in areas where a background color will "show through" the icon, provided there is sufficient contrast of at least 3:1.
Gray
The gray variant of the seal has a transparent background and may be used on white, black, or extra dark backgrounds, provided there is sufficient contrast of at least 3:1.
White
The white variant of the seal has a transparent background, and may be used on solid brand colors (except Duckling Yellow) or darker shades, provided there is sufficient contrast of at least 3:1.
Size and placement
The State Seal must retain its 1:1 aspect ratio and be legible relative to its size. It should also not be excessively large as it is meant to be used as an identifier, not a display image. For these reasons, the size of all instances should fall between 1–2 inches on print documents, or 45–200px on digital interfaces (with the exception of the Mass.gov favicon).
The State Seal requires adequate clear space to maintain its prominence and visual integrity. Ensure white space equal to at least 25% of the seal's dimensions surrounds it on all sides. Never allow other elements to intersect with or encroach upon this protected area.
Color contrast
Below are some examples of accessible logo and background combinations. If you are ever unsure, use a color contrast checker to ensure the contrast ratio meets at least 3:1. The full color version can be safely placed over anything since a white background is built into it. However, it is important to ensure it isn’t covering focal points of imagery or other prominent visuals.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Don’t stretch the State Seal horizontally or vertically. Ensure it is always displayed as a perfect circle.
- Don’t change the color of the State Seal outside of the already provided color variants
- Don’t place the State Seal over busy imagery
- Don’t place the State Seal over backgrounds that don’t meet a contrast ratio of at least 3:1
- Don’t add elements to the State Seal
- Don’t remove elements from the State Seal
- Don’t rotate the State Seal
- Don’t clip the edges of the logo
