Tone
Tones are created by mixing a pure color (hue) with gray, which decreases the color’s intensity and gives it a more muted appearance. This process is called desaturation.
Tones are often softer and less vibrant than the original color, making them useful for adding subtlety and depth to designs. When you adjust the amount of gray added to a hue, you create different tones that can vary from slightly muted to significantly softened.
In design and branding, tones are valuable for creating variation without straying too far from a color scheme. They allow you to maintain consistency while adding interest and balance.