Rules of Color in Print Design
Color can make or break an advertisement, whether in a newspaper ad, postcard, or other form of printed marketing tools. However, too much color tends to overwhelm your message, while too little will not be able to capture enough attention. Choosing the wrong color scheme can hide or disrupt the flow of your message and style. Another thing that must be remembered is that a certain color on a computer screen may appear differently than if it is printed on a commercial printer.
You can avoid these common color flaws by following the rules below.
The Right Amount
Many designs have two or four color schemes. Smaller layouts such as for business card or postcard printing need to use only two colors while larger designs such as brochures can allow for four colors. Make sure to use white space so as not to overdo your color scheme. In addition, you have to organize the shades. For instance, use a white background, black fonts, a red header box background, and a blue tips box background.
The Right Shade
having to choose between two or four colors and deciding what color combination to use can be quite challenging. The perfect combination of colors should help you to guide your readers to the most important aspects of your layout first. Among all the other colors, black and red capture the most attention, effortlessly. On the other hand, blue and yellow are more subtle colors. Each of these colors may produce different results when combined with other shades.
Play around with the palette of your project until the most important information stands out the most. Additionally, keep in mind that your message and style needs to be coordinated with the right colors. Use the following right colors - orange for fun, green for growth, and yellow for happiness. Make sure that you take consideration of these things. Remember that every color has a meaning in psychological terms. Know what kind of impact each color brings to the people. Know which color would draw more attention according to your target market's point of view.
The Right Appearance
The default color scheme on a computer is RGB because these colors (red, green, and blue) are the primary colours of light. Since a computer screen operates with light, colors appear more vivid on the monitor with RGB. The problem occurs in the printing - the transfer of it from computer screen to paper, which is why color printing companies tend to use CMYK rather than RGB scheme. Cyan, magenta, and yellow (with black thrown in for a darker black) are the primary colors of ink; therefore, printed images appear more vivid and smooth. Your design program should have the option to choose colors from the CMYK scheme. Just remember that your proof printed on paper will appear differently than on the screen.
So with these tips in mind, you can get to work and create that perfect print out and use color to make your print design stand out from the rest and capture the most attention from your target markets.
Related Tags: color printing, print design, postcard printing
Kaye Z. Marks is an avid writer and follower of the developments in color printing, postcard printing and print design industries.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- I Don't Have to Show You Any Stinkin' Business Card
Well of course you do. If you're in serious business person, you need a well-designed business card - Do not Let the Competition Scare You Away
Even if you don't know much of anything about video games I'm guessing you've probably at least hea - Knowing the Specifics About Presentation Folders
A presentation folder is a little self explanatory, but given how few people I see making good use - Always Stay on Message
While this is going to be true for most advertising, I think those companies who decide to print po - Consistency and Change
A company can't use the exact same marketing strategies day after day and still manage to stay on t - Logo That Change Defeat Into Winnings
Can a logo change the defeats into winnings? The answers can be found after you finish reading this - Color Trends for 2008
Designers should always know what colors are popular - and which are about to become popular. Col - The Basic Needs of Any Good Business Card
The increase in printing technology brings with it an increase in the number of things a person can - Types of Large Format Printing Equipment
There are various types of printing equipments used in the industry of large format printing indust - What is the History of Graphic Design?
The compelling, if somewhat obscure, paintings in the caves of Alsace around 14,000 BC and the birt
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Architectural Outsourcing
The outsourcing industry worldwide is booming. There are very few Information Technology sectors whi - Easy to GIF
I discovered years ago, that if you will take the time to search cyberspace, you can find almost any - Flash Work Practices
I thought I might put together some of my work practices. These are the steps I put in place to faci - Web design with a Catch
Web design is an artsy interface. It is all about blending, harmony, unity and functionality. Its be - Whats a 3d, Whats 3dgraphics, 3D computer graphics
3d is nothing but an depth, some ways like example an paper which has a thin depth with a width and - Graphic Design Niches - Finding a Narrow But Deep Client Base:
With so many graphic designers, website designers and logo designers competing in the field, it is m - Logo Designers - the 5 Point Plan to Designing a Stunning Logo
If we had a dollar every time somebody gave us their opinions on what makes a great logo we'd be abl - Simple Ideas for Breaking the Dangerous Icons in Your Art
You may be surprised by what I am about to tell you, at least partly. The two lines wit - How to Contour Draw and the Benefits
Making a contour drawing may seem a little overwhelming or pointless to you. Let m - Graphic Design Principles - Basic
Graphic Design is a composition (lay out) of some elements which are shape, form, line, typography,