Primitive colour

A primitive colour token is the foundation layer of the SGDS colour system. It pairs a raw hex value with a name that identifies the shade. Every other colour token in the system resolves down to a primitive.

Each primitive colour has two parts: the base (colour) and the modifier (scale). The token sgds-blue-600 sits at step 600 on the blue ramp, and every other primitive follows the same pattern.

Beyond naming, each primitive is a stable reference for a single hex value. Across the seven colour families, the SGDS palette covers every shade the system needs, from the lightest tints to the deepest darks.

Using primitives directly in product code or design files is not recommended. It leads to inconsistencies when themes or brand palettes change. Always reach for semantic colour tokens first.

Only use primitives when you need to:

• Generate a custom brand palette through our colour generator.
• Explore colour ideas in Figma when prototyping or experimenting.
• Define new semantic tokens when extending the design system.