One question we commonly hear at Great Blue Images is “What colors should I use in my signs?” We found some helpful information from the website Colorcombos.com to help answer this. One idea to choose the right color combination is the level of visibility that will be created. If you contrast a light color font or graphic on a dark background or a dark font or graphic on a light background, viewers will be more drawn to your signage. Use fonts that are legible and uncomplicated. The background or graphic should never overpower or distract from the actual message of the sign, according to Colorcombos.com. Because people react psychologically to various colors, choose shades that most closely identify with your business or company theme. Warm colors tend to encourage people to feel comfortable enough to relax and linger. If you want customers or clients to spend extra time in your store or restaurant, you’ll want to pick from colors that have comforting layers of reds, oranges and yellows in them. If you want your signage to be a real attention getter, yellow is a universal favorite. You can pick a signature color such as hot pink or electric green. Strong reds and blues are always popular choices, the website Colorcombos.com reports. Here are some common associations between colors, the feelings associated with them, and some corporations that use the colors:

• Yellow (happy feelings) — McDonalds wants every meal to be a “happy meal.” By adding some fiery red, they have created a sign that functions as an appetite stimulant.
• Blue (business confidence) — IBM wants everyone to trust their products.
• Green (health) — Starbucks has a healthier, “greener” product.
• Purple (royal, mystery, wisdom) — Hallmark has the perfectly worded card for every occasion.
• Orange (joy, optimism) — “The world runs on Dunkin.”
• Pink (femininity, love) — Victoria’s Secret is all about romantic, sexy women’s fashions.

For professionalism and elegance, black on white is always a good selection. A white background is a good choice for any strong contrasting color. Black serves the same purpose when it supports very light or bright letting or graphics. Other complementary choices such as the blue–orange combination that Tropicana (based right here in Bradenton) has used. 5 Tips to Choose the Best Colors for Your Signs ColorCombos.com goes on to share some tips to help select the right colors for your signs.

1. Does your business already have an established brand color? You’ll want to work with that unless you are ready to completely overhaul your advertising format.
2. Do you want to have a psychological impact on potential customers by gaining their attention, stimulating their senses or inspiring a certain positive response? What is most likely to motivate them? Orange, yellow and red are generally considered high arousal colors; and blues, greens and violet tend to be lower in arousal response. However, within these families, entirely different reactions can be created by intensifying or lessening the shades.
3. Never let an intense background color or graphic overpower the most important message on your signage.
4. Work with contrasting complementary pairs for powerful impact.
5. A black–white combination is clearly legible and less expensive.

Let Great Blue Images Help You Craft the Right Colors and Images for Your Signs   Give Great Blue Images a call today for a free quote on all types of signs that can help build your business in Sarasota, Bradenton, Ellenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Tampa, Parrish, Live Oak, or Wauchula business. With our depth and breadth of experience, we can advise you on the right color choices for your business signs.