Do I absolutely have to use black for an Engineering thesis?

No, but it's the strongest convention. Navy blue is a variant accepted at every university. Other colours are rare and might draw comments from the board.

Gold foil or silver foil on a black cover?

Gold is the classic choice and pairs well with any Engineering branch. Silver is preferred for Computer Engineering and for all master's degrees with a modern technological angle.

Is there a "special" colour for Computer Engineering?

There's no official convention, but black with silver foil has become the de facto standard for master's theses in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Does Civil Engineering use the same colour as Computer Engineering?

Yes, black remains the dominant choice. Some students pick dark brown or grey to evoke construction materials, but it's a minority choice.

Management Engineering: black or blue?

Both accepted. Navy blue leans towards the Economics/Business palette, a natural choice for the course's management-business angle. Black stays more "purely engineering".

How long does it take to print a black hardcover with gold foil?

At GUUG the hardcover is ready in 2 hours in store. Configure it online for 24-48h shipping or drop by Via di Porta Castello 29 in Rome (Prati district).

◆ Thesis colours by faculty

Engineering thesis cover colour: black and its variants

Engineering thesis colour: traditional black and variants at Sapienza, Roma Tre, Tor Vergata. Classic gold foil or modern silver.

GUUG · May 2026

◆ In short

If you're graduating in Engineering — computer, civil, management, mechanical, electronic — you have to pick a thesis cover. Black is the canonical choice, shared by every Italian university with an engineering faculty. This guide explains when deviating from black makes sense and which foil combinations work best for the different engineering branches.

The traditional colour: black

Black is the almost universal colour for Engineering theses: restraint, precision and authority — three attributes consistent with the technical nature of the degree. It's often paired with gold or silver foil lettering to give the volume visual value.

Traditional black

The almost universal Engineering choice: restraint, precision and authority. Gold or silver foil for the lettering.

Black variants at Sapienza, Tor Vergata and Roma Tre

Sapienza – Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering

Classic black

A well-established tradition: black hardcover with gold foil printing (title and candidate's name). For master's theses in Computer Engineering silver foil is increasingly common, a modern choice that echoes the tech aesthetic.

Roma Tre – Engineering

Black or navy blue

Roma Tre accepts both black and navy blue for Engineering. Blue matches the faculty palette and is chosen mainly by those who want to stand out without leaving tradition behind.

Tor Vergata – Engineering

Black

At Tor Vergata black is practically the only choice for Engineering. Gold foil for bachelor's theses and silver foil for master's is an informal but widespread distinction.

Unimarconi – Engineering

Black with gold foil

Unimarconi keeps the classic tradition: black with gold foil. Its Rome Prati campus is a 5-minute walk from GUUG, handy for same-day pickup.

Colour + foil combinations for Engineering

For Engineering the most common combinations are:

Black + gold foil

The absolute classic. Traditional, elegant, accepted at every university. A safe choice for any board.

Black + silver foil

A modern variant in high demand for Computer Engineering, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. It echoes the contemporary tech aesthetic.

Black + white foil

Maximum colour contrast. A minimalist, high-impact choice, particularly appreciated for Design and technical Architecture theses.

Navy blue + silver foil

A non-traditional but accepted variant: navy blue as the base for Aerospace or Maritime Engineering theses, with silver foil.

When to deviate from black

Black is universal, but for some specialisations a different choice can be meaningful. Aerospace Engineering: navy blue (evoking the sky and flight). Civil/Building Engineering: dark brown or anthracite grey (evoking construction materials). Computer Engineering (master's): black with silver foil (tech aesthetic). Management Engineering: black or navy blue, both consistent with the course's business-oriented angle. Biomedical Engineering: dark burgundy is allowed (overlap with Medicine).

Frequently asked questions

Do I absolutely have to use black for an Engineering thesis?: No, but it's the strongest convention. Navy blue is a variant accepted at every university. Other colours are rare and might draw comments from the board.
Gold foil or silver foil on a black cover?: Gold is the classic choice and pairs well with any Engineering branch. Silver is preferred for Computer Engineering and for all master's degrees with a modern technological angle.
Is there a "special" colour for Computer Engineering?: There's no official convention, but black with silver foil has become the de facto standard for master's theses in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Does Civil Engineering use the same colour as Computer Engineering?: Yes, black remains the dominant choice. Some students pick dark brown or grey to evoke construction materials, but it's a minority choice.
Management Engineering: black or blue?: Both accepted. Navy blue leans towards the Economics/Business palette, a natural choice for the course's management-business angle. Black stays more "purely engineering".
How long does it take to print a black hardcover with gold foil?: At GUUG the hardcover is ready in 2 hours in store. Configure it online for 24-48h shipping or drop by Via di Porta Castello 29 in Rome (Prati district).

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