ASE Collision Test Prep
Brand Usage Guidelines

The complete reference for using the ASE Collision Test Prep logo, color palette, and typography across digital and print applications.

These guidelines apply to all use of the ASE Collision Test Prep brand identity. For permissions or asset requests, contact info@asecollisiontestprep.com.

1. Logo & Marks

The ASE Collision Test Prep wordmark is the primary brand identity. The mark combines the brand name in custom typography with the ASE-style spiky gear icon to signal the collision-trade focus.

Primary Lockup (Full Color on Light)

The default lockup for use on white or light backgrounds. The wordmark uses the brand blue (#005A8B) with accent orange (#D35400) and the gear icon in full color.

Reverse Lockup (White on Dark)

For dark or photographic backgrounds, the wordmark may render in solid white. Use only on backgrounds with sufficient contrast.

Monochrome Lockup

For single-color applications (printing, embroidery, embossing), use the wordmark in solid black (#222222) or solid white as appropriate to the substrate.

2. Clear Space & Minimum Size

Clear Space

Maintain a minimum clear space around the logo equal to the height of the letter "A" in the wordmark. No other graphic elements, text, or imagery may encroach on this clear-space zone.

Clear space minimum = the height of the capital "A" in the wordmark, applied as padding on all four sides.

This applies whether the logo is used in a tight UI button, on a marketing landing page, or on print collateral.

Minimum Size

• Digital: 100 px wide minimum (any application below this size should use the gear-icon-only mark instead).
• Print: 1.0 inch (25 mm) wide minimum.
• Favicon and small mobile UI: use the gear icon alone, not the full wordmark.

Maximum Size

No upper limit, but ensure the surrounding clear space scales proportionally and the wordmark remains crisp at the size used.

3. Color Palette

The ASE Collision Test Prep palette balances industrial blue and orange-accent earth tones. Always use the exact specified values; do not substitute or approximate.

Primary Colors

Supporting Colors

Background Colors

Bright White: #FFFFFF — default background for most digital applications.
Light Blue Wash: #f8fbff — secondary background for callouts and highlighted sections.
Light Grey: #f4f6f8 — alternative neutral background for full-page layouts.

4. Typography

Primary Typeface

Sample Heading

Sample body copy in Montserrat 500 weight. Used for paragraph text across the platform. Letterforms remain legible at both small and large sizes.

Typography Rules

• Headings: Montserrat 900 weight in Brand Blue (#005A8B), uppercase or title case.
• Subheadings: Montserrat 800 weight in Secondary Navy (#003f61).
• Body copy: Montserrat 500 weight in Text Dark (#333333), 16 px base size on web, 1.6 line-height.
• Captions and metadata: Montserrat 700 weight in Text Muted (#666666), uppercase with 1 px letter-spacing.
• Calls to action: Montserrat 900 weight, uppercase, with appropriate letter-spacing for clarity.

Fallback Stack

5. Incorrect Usage (Do Not)

The following uses compromise the brand identity and are prohibited.

Specific Prohibitions

• Do not rebuild or trace the wordmark in another typeface.
• Do not use the logo as a watermark over text in a way that compromises legibility.
• Do not place the logo in a container or frame other than the approved primary, reverse, or monochrome lockups.
• Do not use the logo to imply ASE National Institute affiliation or endorsement. ASE Collision Test Prep is an independent platform and not affiliated with ASE.

6. Approved Backgrounds

Solid Colors

The logo may be placed on:

• White (#FFFFFF): primary use case for most digital and print applications.
• Light Blue Wash (#f8fbff): secondary backgrounds for branded sections.
• Brand Blue (#005A8B) or Secondary Navy (#003f61): use the reverse (white) logo lockup.
• Black (#000000) or Very Dark Grey (#222222): use the reverse (white) logo lockup.

Photography

Logo placement on photography is permitted only when:

• The background image area behind the logo has sufficient contrast (test against the WCAG 2.1 AA standard, contrast ratio minimum 4.5:1 for the wordmark).
• Subject matter is professional and aligned with brand voice (collision shops, technicians at work, training environments).
• The logo does not compete with key visual focal points in the image.

Gradient Backgrounds

The brand uses linear gradients from Brand Blue (#005A8B) to Secondary Navy (#003f61) at 135° for hero sections. The reverse (white) logo lockup is the only approved logo for these backgrounds.

7. Photography & Imagery

Photography across asecollisiontestprep.com communicates the working-tech audience and the professional credibility of the platform.

Approved Subject Matter

• Working collision technicians in shop environments (painters, body techs, structural specialists).
• Equipment photography (spray guns, 3D measurement systems, scan tools).
• Instructor and classroom environments at trade schools and training centers.
• Vehicle photography focused on collision repair work (damage analysis, panel work, refinish).

Avoid

• Stock photography that looks staged or unrelated to the trade.
• Photography that depicts unsafe practices (no PPE, improper procedure).
• Identifiable students or shop personnel without signed media releases.
• Branding from other manufacturers prominently displayed without permission.

Photography Treatment

Photographs may be presented with light overlays, brand blue tints, or text overlays for editorial purposes. Maintain a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio between any text overlay and the underlying photograph.