![\"Get](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/BannerBusinessCards-1024x256.png?resize=1024%2C256&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore you start: The Color Wheel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/the-color-wheel.png?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMost graphic designers will probably tell you that one of the most important tools available when considering a color is the color wheel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBelieve it or not, the color wheel is something that\u2019s been around since the mid 1600s(!) and Sir Isaac Newton created one of the first color wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis article from Macworld<\/a> sums up the color wheel nicely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cThe simplest way to pick colors is to use a color wheel\u2014a circular diagram of colors arranged by their relationships with one another. A color wheel is based on the three primary colors: yellow, blue, and red, from which all other colors spring. By mixing equal amounts of the primary colors, you get a second set of colors called secondary colors. Mixing equal parts of the secondary colors gives you a third set of colors called tertiary colors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also use this tool from Sessions College<\/a> to help you choose a color scheme easily, and give you a preview of what the colors you choose will look like when placed together.<\/p>\n\n\n\nColor Harmony<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are a few different types of geometric relationships on the color wheel organization that make up what\u2019s known as \u201ccolor harmony,\u201d or the relationship of colors to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a look at this in-depth look<\/a> at what makes up color harmony, but here are a few of the main techniques for combining colors based on the color wheel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Complementary \u2013 colors opposite each other on the color wheel organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Analogous \u2013 colors next to each other<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Triad \u2013 evenly spaced colors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Split-complementary \u2013 a base color with two complementary colors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rectangle \u2013 a rectangular set of colors in two complementary pairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Square \u2013 four colors spaced evenly around the color circle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Choosing the right color harmony is something that might take some getting used to, but it\u2019s an essential part of choosing the colors for your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Color Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce you have found some colors you like using the Color Wheel, it\u2019s important to consider the context of those colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, take a look at this image, with a red square amongst some different background colors:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/red-square.gif?ssl=1\")
Image courtesy: Color Voodoo Publications<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAlthough each background color is different, the red square in the middle is the same color in each square. Notice how the red square \u201cchanges\u201d depending on the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The black square makes the red square look larger than it does on other squares. It\u2019s important to keep the context of colors in mind when you choose your colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s another example where the inner rectangle is the same color in each square:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/purple-square.gif?ssl=1\")
Image courtesy: Color Voodoo Publications<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBut notice how the rectangle on the left seems to be a different color when compared to the rectangle on the right? This is the relativity of color, and it changes based on other colors, sizes, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Small business need to consider color in all their marketing and design projects. Make sure you are using the best color combination<\/a> on all your design projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTry to keep this in mind when you\u2019re choosing your colors, and make sure you\u2019re confident with your choices before proceeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Color Psychology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe other key component of choosing a color involves paying attention to color psychology<\/a>. Colors can evoke certain emotions in all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThink about how you feel when you see a color like this:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/red.jpg?ssl=1\")
The color red is culturally associated with power and danger.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhile a person\u2019s feelings about color are obviously quite personal, culturally there are many different uses of color to represent specific symbols. The color white is commonly used as a symbol of purity or innocence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re trying to come up with some colors to use for your website, logo, or newsletter, try and keep the psychology of your color choices in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some additional tools you can use<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere are some additional tools to use when you\u2019re deciding on the specific colors to choose for whatever your project is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- colr.org<\/a> \u2013 lets you upload an image and see the range of colors within that image<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Khroma<\/a> \u2013 use AI to find color pallets that you love<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adobe Colour CC<\/a> \u2013 lets you try out and create different color schemes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Coolers<\/a> \u2013 generates thousands of trending color pallets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can find a comprehensive list of 28 color scheme tools over at Creative Bloq<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat kind of color design tips do you have? Let us know in the comments section below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"Stack](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/PhotoRetouch_SS_pg47_v3-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
Shop Saddle Stitch Booklets at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/presentation-folders-pdp.jpg?ssl=1\")
Shop Folders at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Postcards_Transparent.png?ssl=1\")
Shop Postcards at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMost graphic designers will probably tell you that one of the most important tools available when considering a color is the color wheel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Believe it or not, the color wheel is something that\u2019s been around since the mid 1600s(!) and Sir Isaac Newton created one of the first color wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article from Macworld<\/a> sums up the color wheel nicely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe simplest way to pick colors is to use a color wheel\u2014a circular diagram of colors arranged by their relationships with one another. A color wheel is based on the three primary colors: yellow, blue, and red, from which all other colors spring. By mixing equal amounts of the primary colors, you get a second set of colors called secondary colors. Mixing equal parts of the secondary colors gives you a third set of colors called tertiary colors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use this tool from Sessions College<\/a> to help you choose a color scheme easily, and give you a preview of what the colors you choose will look like when placed together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few different types of geometric relationships on the color wheel organization that make up what\u2019s known as \u201ccolor harmony,\u201d or the relationship of colors to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at this in-depth look<\/a> at what makes up color harmony, but here are a few of the main techniques for combining colors based on the color wheel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing the right color harmony is something that might take some getting used to, but it\u2019s an essential part of choosing the colors for your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have found some colors you like using the Color Wheel, it\u2019s important to consider the context of those colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, take a look at this image, with a red square amongst some different background colors:<\/p>\n\n\n Although each background color is different, the red square in the middle is the same color in each square. Notice how the red square \u201cchanges\u201d depending on the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The black square makes the red square look larger than it does on other squares. It\u2019s important to keep the context of colors in mind when you choose your colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s another example where the inner rectangle is the same color in each square:<\/p>\n\n\n But notice how the rectangle on the left seems to be a different color when compared to the rectangle on the right? This is the relativity of color, and it changes based on other colors, sizes, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Small business need to consider color in all their marketing and design projects. Make sure you are using the best color combination<\/a> on all your design projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to keep this in mind when you\u2019re choosing your colors, and make sure you\u2019re confident with your choices before proceeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other key component of choosing a color involves paying attention to color psychology<\/a>. Colors can evoke certain emotions in all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about how you feel when you see a color like this:<\/p>\n\n\n While a person\u2019s feelings about color are obviously quite personal, culturally there are many different uses of color to represent specific symbols. The color white is commonly used as a symbol of purity or innocence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re trying to come up with some colors to use for your website, logo, or newsletter, try and keep the psychology of your color choices in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some additional tools to use when you\u2019re deciding on the specific colors to choose for whatever your project is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find a comprehensive list of 28 color scheme tools over at Creative Bloq<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What kind of color design tips do you have? Let us know in the comments section below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nColor Harmony<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Color Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Color Psychology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some additional tools you can use<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n