Setting a Tone With Color

There are many elements to a successful sign, including its verbiage, font, artwork, layout and color. It might be the latter one that causes the most consternation. What colors are appropriate for sign backgrounds? (Hint: They don’t have to be white.) What about the copy? Black is often the default choice, but should it be?

One of the things that makes the sign business so exciting for those of us in it is that no two signs are exactly alike. When it comes to color, there are some general “rights” and “wrongs,” such as ensuring that colors are bold enough to stand out, but personal taste and the tone you wish to set more often than not will determine the choices you make.

Here are some color meanings that may assist you the next time you create a sign:

• Black is the color of authority and power.
• White symbolizes innocence and purity.
• Red is the most emotionally intense color.
• Pink is tranquilizing.
• Blue is calming and often enhances productivity.
• Green symbolizes nature.
• Dark green is masculine and conservative, and it implies wealth.
• Yellow is considered to be an optimistic color and attention getter.
• Purple implies luxury, wealth and sophistication.
• Brown sends a message of being solid and reliable.

The way you use colors together will also tell a story…and we can help you make sure that message isn’t unclear, confusing or inappropriate for your purposes.

Sign-A-Rama - Kearny Mesa in San Diego

Setting a Tone With Color