Colgate Logo PNG
The American oral hygiene brand Colgate-Palmolive was first sold in 1873. The Colgate logo reflects the history and identity of the brand, closely linking it to the past of the parent company and paying tribute to the name of the founder.
Colgate: Brand overview
Colgate is a dental care brand created by the Colgate-Palmolive group of companies. The parent company was founded in 1806 by William Colgate, a Baptist soap, candle, and starch manufacturer. Toothpaste appeared in the company’s assortment later when management passed to Samuel Colgate. The founder’s son established the company, introducing a hygiene product named Colgate in 1873. The tube packaging was invented by dentist Washington Sheffield, and in 1896, the company launched an experimental product line called Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream.
Meaning and History
The visual style of the world’s most famous toothpaste has always remained unchanged – red and white colors. Appearing in the late 19th century, it never switched to another palette: only the style or font changed, but not the color. Initially, jars were used for packaging, but after Washington Sheffield suggested tubes, the paste began to be released in them. The first logo appeared a year after the line’s launch and has been updated eight times since 1897.
What is Colgate?
This global leader in oral hygiene is transforming tooth brushing into a comprehensive approach to dental health. The brand includes innovative toothbrushes, mouthwashes, professional dental tools, and iconic toothpaste formulated for sensitivity, whitening, and cavity prevention. In collaboration with dentists worldwide, the brand has developed solutions for all aspects of oral care, including plaque control, breath freshening, and gum health maintenance.
1897 – 1948
The debut emblem was adorned with a white inscription on a red background, executed in simple letters. The brand name was two-tiered: on top was the large word “Colgate’s,” and below, in small font, “Ribbon Dental Cream.”
The emblem was immediately placed on a cardboard box, which contained the tube. It was placed on all sides, which was very convenient: when the product was put on a shelf, the inscription remained visible. The white name stood out clearly against the red background, evoking a sense of cleanliness, freshness, and radiance.
1949 – 1963
The original version lasted about 40 years, receiving an update only in 1940. Designers changed the font, making it clear and modern, in line with the new name of the toothpaste – Dental Cream with Gardol. Naturally, the “Colgate” inscription remained. The text was written in capital letters, except for the preposition “with,” which was in small lowercase letters. In this version, the words are geometrically balanced, with straight and clear angles, conveying a sense of confidence and safety.
1963 – 1980
In 1963, the company changed the logo design, using a new style. In this version, the brand name starts with a capital letter, and all other characters are lowercase, with smooth and elegant lines. The designers also placed a geometric blue-white element, “С MFU,” on the packaging. It was located on the left side. The updated logo looked minimalistic yet recognizable. Moreover, this format became the basis for the current symbolism.
1980 – 2001
The 1980 changes affected only the font. It was a smooth sans-serif italic, and the word was written in the same style as before, although the font was replaced with a Magistral Bold Italic with a rounded “C” and pointed angles of “g” and “a.” The letter “t” had half of its horizontal stroke removed.
2001 – 2004
In 2001, the logo was updated again. The inscription became more complex, with letters having smooth transitions and slightly noticeable bends. In such an interpretation, the font already resembled Sanstone Heavy Italic but with some truncated lines. The color palette remained unchanged.
2004 – 2009
During this period, the company added volume and dynamism to the emblem, so a burgundy shadow appeared on the white letters. This technique made the inscription embossed, massive, and bright. The font was also slightly changed, maintaining the corporate style.
2009 – today
In 2017, the manufacturer decided to add a bit of freshness to the logo, so it changed the writing to “Colgate.” It elongated and curved the tail of the letter “g,” creating a semblance of a smile. Although the experiment was not entirely successful, the designers supported the idea.
2017 – 2018
In 2017, the manufacturer decided to add some freshness to the logo, for which he changed the spelling of “Colgate.” He lengthened and arched the tail of the letter “g,” creating a semblance of a smile. Although the experiment was not entirely successful, the designers supported the idea.
2018 – today
The current logo is a combination of the emblems from 2009 and 2017, supplemented with a white smile under the word “Colgate.” Such a version looks friendly and accurately reflects the brand’s mission. The font belongs to the FreeSet studio and was developed in 1992 by Manvel Shmavonyan and Tagir Safaev.
Colgate: Interesting Facts
Colgate is a well-known brand that’s been around for a long time, not just making toothpaste and toothbrushes.
- Starting: William Colgate started it in 1806 in New York City, making starch, soap, and candles at first. They began selling toothpaste in jars in 1873.
- Tube Toothpaste: In 1896, Colgate was the first to sell toothpaste in tubes like today, which was cleaner and easier than jars.
- Around the World: Colgate products are available in over 200 countries, making it a big name in tooth care worldwide.
- Fluoride First: In 1968, Colgate was the first big brand to add fluoride to toothpaste, helping prevent cavities and improve dental health.
- Not the University: Colgate shares its name with Colgate University in New York, but they’re not connected. The university was named after William Colgate’s family because they helped support it.
- World Record: In 2007, Colgate set a record when 13,380 people in Mexico brushed their teeth simultaneously.
- Going Green: Colgate cares about the planet. They’re working to use less water, make less trash, and reduce pollution. They’re also making toothpaste tubes that can be recycled and aim to have all their packaging recyclable by 2025.
- Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: This Colgate program teaches kids worldwide how to care for, reaching over half a billion children.
- Joining Forces with Palmolive: In 1928, Colgate joined Palmolive-Peet, making it more than just a tooth care company. It also makes products for personal care, cleaning, and even pet food.
- Always Improving: Colgate loves to invent new things for oral health and has lots of patents for things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and dental floss.
Colgate has grown from a small soap and candle shop to a leading brand in tooth care worldwide. It is about making new things, maintaining high standards, and helping communities.
Font and Colors
The Colgate brand immediately settled on a logo with the name of the toothpaste. The reason is the need for a colorful and informative label on the product itself. Over the years of the brand’s existence, the logo had several design variations: in each of them, the name, red background, and white letters dominated. Starting in 2017, the developers noticed the similarity of the curved tail of the letter “g” to a white-toothed smile and brought this idea to life. Later, they separated the graphic from the text.
The font used in the Colgate logo is similar to several other types of fonts. It is most similar to FreeSet Demi Bold Oblique and Vera Sans Bold Italic, developed by Jim Lyles and published by Bitstream. The inscription’s palette consists of a combination of white and red colors.
Colgate color codes
| Maximum Red | Hex color: | #e20514 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 226 5 20 | |
| CMYK: | 0 98 91 11 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Bright Red C |
FAQ
What is the Colgate logo?
The Colgate logo is the brand name in bold italicized white. Below the inscription is an arc symbolizing a smile. The base is a red quadrilateral. Its color symbolizes vitality and health. White color represents purity and freshness.
What is the Colgate slogan?
Each Colgate product has its slogan. The company’s general advertising slogan is “Oral Health Protection.”
When did Colgate change its logo?
The modern Colgate logo appeared in 2018 when a smile arc was added to the inscription.
Which company owns the Colgate brand?
Colgate is a brand of the transnational company Colgate-Palmolive Company.