Choosing Colors for Your Business Cards

Making a first impression is very important. Graphic designers who specialize in designing business cards and additional business marketing materials understand the importance of colors.

How do you make your business card stand out among competitors? Take a look at the color wheel and determine which colors go well with each other and the colors to stay away from. Color is very important. Below you will find helpful tips on how to select the best colors when designing your business cards and other printed business materials.

Triadic Color Scheme

This color scheme is uses three colors that has an equal margarine around the color wheel. The colors tend to be vibrant and a high degree of contrast making them retain the harmony of the colors. Many designers uses this scheme as it offers a clean, balanced and contrast making the business card have a well-rounded look. To create this scheme, choose one color, the the two colors that are equally apart located on the color wheel.

Monochromatic Color Scheme

This color scheme is easy on the eyes, creating a soothing effect. Some of the soothing colors include blue and green. This color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a chosen color. It’s a popular scheme among designers as it often offers a clean and elegant look. It’s also easy to use and this scheme doesn’t require a large amount of knowledge about the color wheel. It’s often used for business cards of highly professional nature.

Complementary Color Scheme

This color scheme is the most striking as it uses to opposite colors from the color wheel. An example of choosing opposite colors may include purple and green. Using this scheme can make your business card jump out with the use of bold and fun colors. But, be careful. Sometimes selecting this scheme can actually ward off customers if the colors don’t mix well.

Analogous Color Scheme

This scheme uses colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. This involves usually three colors that are next to each other.

There are two types. You have cool and warm colors. Example of cool colors can be green, blue or violet. Warm colors can include red, orange and yellow. So, the purpose of this scheme is to convey either a warm or cold feeling.

There are additional color schemes, but choosing one of the above schemes will help you create an effective business card. Take time to experiment with he colors and ask other to view before selecting on a final color design. Our graphic designs will be happy to help you create a custom design. Get started by completing our online form here.

The Variety of Colors

Have you ever wondered what colors mean and how they can relate to your business card design? Below we will discuss some common colors and what they actually mean. You can find more colors by reading our blog about colors.

The Color Red

Red can invoke warmth and it’s commonly referred to as a bold color. Most fast food restaurants include the color red because researchers say it can stimulate the appetite. Red is also associated with emotions such as rage, passion and romance. Other have described red as being associated with danger and excitement. It’s one of the most powerful colors.

The Color Yellow

The benefit of incorporating yellow into your business card design, it’s easy on the eyes and it tends to stand out. It’s one of the most visibly colors and it’s usually the color we will notice first when combined with other colors.

Yellow is considered a stimulating color and it’s uses in products that are for kids or products that make people happy.

The Color Orange

Orange is a cheerful color but it can also symbolize excitement and caution. Orange is an ideal color when a business wants a customer to act now!

When using orange, it’s often used with EDDM postcards or flyers because the color orange can be used for the call-to-action button. It’s a great color to grab the attention of potential customers as it can easily highlight important information.

The Color Orange

Orange is a cheerful color but it can also symbolize excitement and caution. Orange is an ideal color when a business wants a customer to act now!

When using orange, it’s often used with EDDM postcards or flyers because the color orange can be used for the call-to-action button. It’s a great color to grab the attention of potential customers as it can easily highlight important information.

The Color Black

Black is primarily linked with exclusivity, power and elegance. When properly incorporated into business card designs, designers understand it can help elevate another color to a new level - possibly becoming the main focus of the card.

The Color Brown

This color is described as a strong and solid color and also known as masculine. Brown can be printed with any color, in printed by itself, it can be described as boring or dull.It’s related to the earth, nutrition, goodness and health. Brown is also a comforting color with characteristics including honest, approachable and friendly.

As you can see there are a variety of colors to choose from and they all have different meanings and characteristics. If you need help designing your business card or other print materials, please contact one of our graphic designers and they would love to help!

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