How to Choose the Right Colors When Designing Your Signage

“I prefer living in color.”

-Painter, David Hockney

Color is what draws the eye. The royalist of blues, deepest shades of purple and brightest hues of orange, those are what we notice before anything else. That’s why the use of color in your signage is your biggest asset. Things that you should consider when choosing colors for your signage are:

Meaning

There have been a multitude of studies done on how colors affect a person. Red typically emulates, sometimes stimulates, passion, love and aggression; green, rebirth and growth; blue, peace and serenity; and yellow, happiness. That’s why businesses involved in recycling use green rather than red. So if your business sells childrens’ toys, using colors like orange and yellow would play to your benefit as they represent happiness, joy and youthfulness. Using an adverse color can bring in the wrong kind of business and negatively impact your sales.

Contrast and visibility

Using contrasting colors not only make your signage more legible, but they also makes it more eye catching. For instance, a blue background with white lettering, or a purple background with yellow lettering are a good choice. Not only are you using bright colors that draw the eye, but you’re using colors that are easy to see. Legibility plus eye catching equals more potential business. The last thing you want to do is use colors that are either ostentatious together or make it hard to read: red and purple, black and brown, or using two different shades of blue. If a customer is unable to read your signage, chances are they aren’t going to stop by.

Amount of color

A word to the wise: choose one to three different colors to use in your signage and no more. Just because colors are important doesn’t mean you should use every color in the rainbow. Too many colors makes your signage garish and overwhelming. Stick with colors that emulate what your business stands for and what it sells.

Bright and vivid

When in doubt, use bright colors. They’re the most alluring and the most likely to draw in an audience. Think of it this way, when you’re walking down a street and you see two stores, one with bright lettering and another with grey and white lettering, which are you more likely to choose just based off of the aesthetics? People tend to choose things that appear more pleasing to them.

Color says a lot about your business and, at the end of the day, your signage should be a representation of your business. Play into its strengths. Use colors that emulate the products you sell, make it legible and use colors that catch the eye. Your signage is your business’ calling card.