Ink Blue and Navy Blue are two distinct shades of blue that have been used in the fashion, art and home decor industries for decades.
While they are both hues of blue, they are significantly different in terms of their properties, origins, and uses.
Read on below, we explore the differences between Ink Blue vs Navy Blue – then decide which shade is right for you.
Differences Between Ink Blue vs Navy Blue
To begin our in-depth ink blue vs navy blue comparison, we start off by breaking down and highlighting some of the most significant differences between the two shades of blue.
Let’s go!
Ink Blue
Ink Blue is a deep, vibrant blue color that has strong associations with creativity, fantasy, and mystery.
It is created by adding small amounts of black to a bright blue hue, giving it an intense quality.
Navy Blue
Navy Blue is a dark navy hue with hints of gray undertones.
It is much more versatile than Ink Blue as it can be used in both formal and informal settings and offers a sense of sophistication to any space.
Furthermore, while Ink Blue is mostly known for its creative uses in the fashion industry, Navy Blue has far-reaching applications across various industries such as home decor, design, and even architecture.
Hex Codes
If you want to use either one of these shades of blue in your future designs, you need to know the hex codes.
Otherwise, there is no guarantee that you’ll actually end up with the shade of blue you want.
The hex codes are:
- Ink Blue’s hex code #006B88
- Navy Blue’s hex code is #003f87
Ink Blue’s hex code is slightly lighter in comparison to Navy Blue as it contains more of a bright blue tone.
On the other hand, Navy Blue has more gray undertones which account for its dark, sophisticated look.
Both colors can be used in a variety of settings and are great choices for those looking to add an extra touch of color to their decor.
Psychological Connotations of Each Color: What Each Color Communicates
Both Ink Blue and Navy Blue can be used in various settings to convey different emotions depending on the context.
But, if you want to make the most of these colors, you need to understand the psychological connotations associated with each one.
So, let’s have a look at the main meanings behind each of these two hues of blue:
Ink Blue
Ink Blue has strong psychological connotations such as creativity, mystery, and imagination.
It is often associated with heightened states of awareness and thought-provoking ideas, making it popular among artists and dreamers.
Navy Blue
Navy Blue on the other hand is seen as more sophisticated, authoritative, serious, and secure.
It projects an air of confidence and gives off a sense of reliability that can be hard to find in any other hue.
Popular Usage
Ink Blue and Navy Blue are popular blue shades that have a variety of uses across a broad spectrum of mediums and applications.
Both colors are often used in fashion, home decor, branding, and web design as they provide the perfect balance of color that is both eye-catching and sophisticated.
Read on, and learn more about the popular usage of ink blue vs navy blue.
Fashion
Ink Blue and Navy Blue are popular hues in fashion, as they offer a great balance between eye-catching and sophisticated.
Ink Blue is often used to create more creative looks, while Navy Blue is more associated with an authoritative look.
These two shades can be combined in a variety of ways to create stylish yet professional attire.
For example, a navy blazer paired with ink blue trousers or adding a touch of navy to an otherwise ink blue ensemble.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to styling these two shades together.
Design
Ink Blue and Navy Blue are both popular colors for design, as they offer a great balance between eye-catching and sophisticated.
Ink Blue is often used to create more creative designs, such as posters or logos, while Navy Blue can be used for more professional looks.
Both of these shades can be combined in a variety of ways to create memorable and impactful designs.
For example, navy blue can be used with hand-drawn illustrations to create an artistic look or as an accent color with clean lines and typography for a modern feel.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating unique designs with ink blue and navy blue.
Home Decor
Ink Blue and Navy Blue are popular colors for home decor, as their approachable yet sophisticated look can be used to create elegant environments.
Ink blue is often used as an accent color to brighten up a room or to add visual interest.
On the other hand, navy blue can be used as the main color in a room for a more classic look.
When combined together, Ink Blue and Navy Blue can create stunningly beautiful spaces that stand out from the crowd.
For example, using navy blue on walls with accents of ink blue furniture creates a visually appealing contrast.
Similarly, creating complimentary furnishings with ink blue and navy blue fabrics creates an inviting atmosphere.
Origins of Each Color
Blue has been used as a color in art, fashion, and design since the time of ancient Egypt when the color was associated with the god’s Isis and Nephthys.
Over the centuries, blue’s influence has grown to become one of the most popular colors across cultures around the world.
Navy Blue
Navy blue is a darker shade of blue that was first created in 1748 by British sailors who dyed their white uniforms with indigo dye.
This deep hue eventually gained popularity in civilian life as a more sophisticated alternative to bright blues, and today it is often used to evoke feelings of luxury and sophistication.
Ink Blue
Similarly to Navy Blue, which was originally crafted from indigo dye, Ink Blue was discovered in the 1700s as well.
That said, this version of blue didn’t begin to pick up in popularity for nearly a full century – it wasn’t until the late mid-1800s that it began seeing serious usage.
Common QuestionsÂ
What distinguishes ink blue from navy blue?
Ink blue is a lighter, more approachable shade of blue, while navy blue is a darker and richer hue. For these reasons, Ink blue is often used for clothing, jewelry, and other fashion and design purposes. Navy blue, on the other hand, is used all across the board, in fashion, design, home decor, and more.
What are the advantages of using ink blue and navy blue in home decor?
Combining these two shades can create stunningly beautiful spaces that stand out from the crowd. Ink blue is often used as an accent color to brighten up a room, while navy blue can be used as the main color for a more classic look.
Why did British sailors originally use navy blue?
The British sailors first created navy blue in 1748 by dyeing their white uniforms with indigo dye – the thought behind this decision was to help more easily distinguish their sailors from the opposition. This deep hue eventually gained popularity in civilian life as a more sophisticated alternative to bright blues.
Daniela Corango loves to see the color in all things. She’s passionate about fashion, and interior design. She recently moved to New York and lives with her 2 dogs Peppy and Cinnamon.