Choosing the right colour for your business cards is an important decision that requires some thought. The colour you select needs to align with your brand image and identity, while also making your card stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll explore the psychology behind colour and provide tips on selecting the best colour for your business cards.
The Psychology of Colour
Before getting into specific colours, it’s helpful to understand the psychology behind colour in general. The colours we respond to emotionally and what they represent can significantly impact how your brand is perceived. Here are some key considerations when thinking about colour psychology:
- Colours evoke different emotional responses – Red stimulates, blue calms, green balances, etc.
- Colour meaning can differ across cultures.
- Certain colours are associated with specific industries or types of brands.
- A colour’s shade, tone and saturation impacts its effect.
- Using multiple colours together can create a unique overall feeling.
Research has shown that people make unconscious judgements about products and brands within 90 seconds of initial viewing. Colour plays a big role in those quick judgements. It’s why colour psychology is so important for business cards and other branding touchpoints. The colours you use for your business cards will shape how people perceive your brand when they first see your card.
Traditional vs Contemporary Colours
When deciding on colours for business cards, you’ll generally be choosing between more traditional, conservative colours and contemporary, vibrant colours. Traditional colours tend to be muted, neutral and understated. They convey stability, trust and professionalism. Contemporary colours are bolder, brighter and more stimulating. They give off a sense of creativity, innovation and youth.
Neither approach is inherently better, it mainly depends on the image you want to project with your brand. Some examples of traditional colours for business cards include:
- Black
- White
- Grey
- Navy blue
- Burgundy
Some contemporary colour options include:
- Bright blue
- Vibrant green
- Bold yellow
- Deep purple
- Bright red
Many brands opt for a hybrid approach, using a conservative base colour with pops of brighter accent colours mixed in. This allows them to convey professionalism while adding a touch of modern excitement.
Colour Meanings and Associations
Below is an overview of common colour meanings to help spark ideas as you brainstorm options for your business cards:
Black
- Sophistication
- Elegance
- Authority
- Power
White
- Purity
- Cleanliness
- Neutrality
- Space
Grey
- Professionalism
- Maturity
- Dependability
- Boringness (in large quantities)
Navy Blue
- Trust
- Integrity
- Stability
- Conservatism
Burgundy
- Sophistication
- Luxury
- Ambition
Bright Blue
- Openness
- Peacefulness
- Tranquility
- Creativity
Green
- Growth
- Harmony
- Health
- Wealth
Purple
- Royalty
- Luxury
- Mystery
- Spirituality
Yellow
- Optimism
- Clarity
- Energy
- Freshness
Red
- Excitement
- Passion
- Aggression
- Danger
Keep these colour associations in mind as you think about the emotions and ideas you want to evoke with your brand. Aligning colours with your brand personality is key.
Colour and Brand Personality
Your brand personality and identity should drive your decisions about business card colours. Here are some examples of colours that pair well with different brand personalities:
Modern and Innovative
Bright orange, electric blue, neon green, magenta
Friendly and Approachable
Warm yellow, sky blue, grass green, rich purple
Luxurious and Elegant
Gold, burgundy, forest green, navy blue
Authoritative and Established
Dark blue, black, charcoal grey, deep red
Calm and Soothing
Light blue, pale green, lavender, tan
Bold and Daring
Hot pink, crimson, electric yellow, neon orange
Think about your brand identity and pick 1-2 colours that best reflect it. Keep text legible by limiting colours and contrasting them well.
Colour Schemes and Combinations
Once you’ve selected your base colours, you’ll need to decide on how to combine them into a cohesive colour scheme. Some options include:
- Monochromatic – Multiple shades, tones and tints of one colour
- Analogous – Colours next to each other on the colour wheel
- Complementary – Colours opposite each other on the wheel
- Triadic – Three colours equally spaced on the wheel
It’s generally best to pick one dominant colour and use the others for accents. Make sure there is enough contrast between text and background colours. Using colour schemes from sites like Adobe Color can provide helpful inspiration.
Tips for Picking Colours
Keep these tips in mind as you make your final colour selections for your business cards:
- Align colours with your brand identity and style
- Consider colour psychology and associations
- Use colours consistently across branding touchpoints
- Limit to 2-3 colours for legibility
- Make sure text contrasts well over background
- Match industry norms if appropriate
- Get feedback from target audience if possible
Matching Industry Norms
Some industries have common colour palettes that many brands within them use. While you don’t have to follow them, keeping your cards aligned with industry norms can help them feel familiar and appropriate to your audience. Here are some examples:
| Industry | Common Colours |
| Technology | Bright blues, greens, greys |
| Finance | Blues, greens, black |
| Healthcare | Blues, greens, white |
| Construction | Orange, yellow, greys |
| Hospitality | Warm tones, red, yellow |
While you don’t need to limit yourself to these, keeping them in consideration as you choose colours can be beneficial.
Using Multiple Coloured Cards
Some brands opt to print business cards in a variety of colours for different team members. This can help associate a specific colour with someone’s role or personality. For example, sales team members may have bold red cards while customer service has friendly green ones. If you go this route, make sure the overall style and branding is consistent across the different colours.
Getting Feedback
If possible, get some feedback on your colour choices before finalizing your card design. Ask for input from co-workers, your creative team, stakeholders and even customers if appropriate. Seeing how your target audience reacts to the colours can reveal whether they align with your intended brand image. Be open to making tweaks based on constructive feedback.
Conclusion
Choosing the right business card colour ultimately comes down to understanding colour psychology, your brand identity and your audience. Make sure your colours align with the image you want to project and evoke the desired emotional response. The colours you choose for your card create an important first impression, so give them careful thought. With a strategic approach, you can select a colour that enhances your brand and leaves people wanting to connect.
