Secretary of State to President John Adams, Oliver Wolcott submitted his proposed design which the President approved with the exception of "the yellow color." There is no record of what part of Wolcott's design was yellow, as the sketch attached to his submission is no longer extant. The description of the final design, contained in a circular letter to the collectors of customs, was "sixteen perpendicular stripes, alternate red and white, the Union of the Ensign to be the Arms of the United States, in dark blue, on a white field." The purpose of the ensign is to allow ship captains to easily recognize those vessels having legal authority to stop and board them. It is flown only as a symbol of law enforcement authority and is never carried as a parade standard.

The Coast Guard Standard is used in parades and carries the battle honors of the U.S. Coast Guard. It was derived from the jack of the Coast Guard ensign which used to fly from the stern of revenue cutters. The emblem is a blue eagle from the coat of arms of the United States on a white field. Above the eagle are the words "UNITED STATES COAST GUARD;" below the eagle is the motto, "SEMPER PARATUS" and the inscription "1790."

Outdoor and indoor standards available in nylon (digital dyed) or 2-ply polyester material (screen dyed) to meet the most demanding commercial and residential uses. All outdoor standards are finished with polyester heading and brass grommets. Indoor standards have pole hems and available plain or fringed. Stick standards available in plastic, lightweight polyester or silk-like material.