Skip to main content

9 Color Combinations That Capture Attention in Print

 When it comes to designing for print, color combinations play an essential role in drawing the eye of your consumers.

Colors should be chosen thoughtfully to create a compelling visual design that conveys your project's specific purpose and message, ultimately helping your company make a memorable impact. 

Each color combination has unique characteristics and can evoke different emotions and responses from viewers. Here are 13 captivating color combinations to elevate your design.

9 Color Combinations That Capture Attention in Print

1. Analogous

This combination consists of three to five colors beside each other on the color wheel.

It gently transitions from one hue to another, creating an inviting atmosphere. Analogous colors are great for creating a specific mood or evoking emotion.

2. Complementary

This color combination is based on two colors found at opposite ends of the color wheel. 

These colors create a bold contrast and add excitement to your print materials. Be mindful of balancing the proportions of each color to maintain visual harmony and avoid overwhelming the viewer.

3. Triadic

This color palette uses three equally spaced colors on the color wheel.

They create a lively, vibrant color palette and appear more harmonious than complementary color combinations. It offers many possibilities for incorporating different hues and tones, enabling you to find the perfect color combination to reflect your brand's personality.

4. Monochromatic

This combination uses various tints and shades of a single color.

Monochromatic colors are harmonious and calming, creating a unified design. By playing with light and dark within the same color family, you can add depth and dimension to your print designs. 

5. Tetradic

A pattern of four colors evenly spaced on the color wheel, the tetradic combination balances warm and cool tones to create an eye-catching look with lots of variety.

6. Split Complementary

The split complementary palette uses a base color and two colors next to its complementary color on the color wheel.

It is a modification of the complementary combination that offers greater versatility in design.

7. Pastel

This color palette uses muted versions of brighter hues or tints of pure colors.

Pale and subtle, this combination creates a soothing, peaceful atmosphere. Use them to add a subtle touch of elegance and sophistication to your print materials.

8. Rainbow

This color arrangement utilizes the full spectrum of colors from red to violet.

It can be used to create dynamic designs with high visual impact.

9. Earth Tones

This combination includes natural shades like browns, greens, yellows, and blues.

These colors evoke a sense of warmth, stability, and connection to nature and are often selected for organic, natural designs.

Can Color Combinations Help Draw Attention to My Company?

No matter what type of print project you are working on, understanding how color combinations work together can help create compelling visual designs that capture attention and convey the purpose and message of your project.

Let us help you experiment with combinations to find the perfect colors for your brand and needs. Contact us today by phone or email to create your next marketing masterpiece.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Make a Statement with Flyers: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Effective Design

  Flyers have been around for decades, but they’re anything but old news. In fact, when done well, they can be one of the most cost-effective and attention-grabbing tools in your marketing mix. The trick? Knowing what most people miss. Here are five flyer design strategies that often go overlooked—and how you can use them to your advantage. 1. Headlines Don’t Have to Explain—They Have to Stop People Your headline isn’t a label. It’s a hook. A lot of flyers start with something safe: “Annual Clearance Sale” or “Join Us for Our Spring Open House.” That’s fine—but it’s also forgettable. If you want someone to actually read your flyer, the headline has to stop them in their tracks. Some options to consider: Ask a question: “Tired of Overpaying for Car Repairs?” Use urgency: “This Weekend Only. No Extensions.” Go bold: “You Bring the Crowd. We’ll Bring the Fireworks.” You can always explain more in the subhead. But the headline’s job is to earn that second glance. 2. White Spa...

Showcase Your Brand with Unique Printing Techniques That Reflect Your Style

  Your print materials don’t just share information—they express who you are. Whether you’re designing brochures, business cards, or product packaging, the finishing choices you make can help your brand stand out in ways that are memorable, tactile, and entirely you. But not every technique fits every brand. What feels premium to one customer might feel over-the-top to another. Here’s how to think about pairing your brand’s personality with unique printing techniques that leave a lasting impression. The Bold and Energetic Brand You’re not trying to blend in—you want to get noticed. For brands with a high-energy identity—think entertainment, retail, hospitality, events—the goal is to attract attention fast. That doesn’t mean going over the top. It means choosing finishes that emphasize movement, light, or contrast. Examples to consider: Spot UV that highlights just one element (like a logo or product image) against a matte background Neon inks for a punch of color that sta...

Patriotic Designs for Memorial Day: H.O.N.O.R. in Print

Memorial Day is a time for reflection—a chance to express gratitude, remember those who served, and unite communities around a shared sense of purpose. While print can’t encapsulate the weight of sacrifice, it plays a quiet and important role in how we honor it. Here’s how thoughtful design helped this year’s Memorial Day messages resonate, using a format that reflects the heart of the holiday itself. H — Hold Space for Stillness Not every flyer needs to be loud to be effective. In fact, the best Memorial Day designs created room for the message to breathe. Whether it was ample white space or a single symbolic image—a folded flag, a solitary silhouette, a poppy in bloom—this restraint helped invite reflection. Design takeaway: When designing for remembrance, let stillness speak. Skip the clutter. Choose fewer elements with more weight. O — Opt for Meaningful Color Red, white, and blue are foundational to patriotic design—but not every campaign needs to use them at full saturat...