There are two acceptable categories for presenting drawings in utility and design patent applications.
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) - 37 CFR § 1.84 (a) - Standards for drawings
(1) Black ink.
Black and white drawings are normally required. India ink, or its equivalent that secures solid black lines, must be used for drawings; or
(2) Color
Colour drawings are permitted in design applications. Where a design application contains colour drawings, the application must include the number of sets of colour drawings required by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section and the specification must contain the reference required by paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section. On rare occasions, colour drawings may be necessary as the only practical medium by which to disclose the subject matter sought to be patented in a utility patent application. The colour drawings must be of sufficient quality such that all details in the drawings are reproducible in black and white in the printed patent. Colour drawings are not permitted in international applications (see PCT Rule 11.13). The Office will accept colour drawings in utility patent applications only after granting a petition filed under this paragraph explaining why the colour drawings are necessary. Any such petition must include the following:
(i) The fee set forth in § 1.17(h) ;
(ii) One (1) set of colour drawings if submitted via the Office electronic filing system or three (3) sets of colour drawings if not submitted via the Office electronic filing system; and
(iii) An amendment to the specification to insert (unless the specification contains or has been previously amended to contain) the following language as the first paragraph of the brief description of the drawings:
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in colour. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with colour drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
Comments