Choosing Colors That Work Together
By Chris · · 5 min read
A simple, non-theoretical approach to picking card colors that look intentional — using the patterned paper you already own.
People ask me about color theory and I always give the same slightly disappointing answer: I do not use any.
What I use instead is patterned paper.
Let somebody else do the work
A designer has already spent real time choosing the colors in any given patterned paper pack. Pull your cardstock and ink from the colors that appear in the paper and the card will be harmonious, because the hard decision was made for you before you bought it.
Three colors, unequal amounts
Pick three. Use one for roughly seventy percent of the card, one for twenty-five, and one for the last five percent. That last five percent — a tiny accent — is what makes a card look composed rather than merely coordinated.
When in doubt, add neutral
If a combination is not working, the fix is usually more neutral rather than a different color. White space, kraft, or a soft vanilla will settle almost any pairing.
The test
Put the card at the other end of the room and look at it. Color problems that are invisible at arm's length are obvious at ten feet, and ten feet is roughly how far away somebody is when they first see your card on a mantelpiece.
