Teal is a unique and interesting color that is formed by combining other colors together. Specifically, teal is created by mixing green and blue color pigments or light. The exact percentage of green and blue that makes up teal can vary, resulting in different shades of teal. Generally speaking, teal contains a higher percentage of green than blue. This article will examine the typical percentages of green and blue that create different teals.
Primary Colors
Before looking at the colors that make teal, it helps to understand the primary colors. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. By mixing the primary colors together in different ratios, all other colors can be created. For example:
| Red + Yellow | = | Orange |
| Red + Blue | = | Purple |
| Yellow + Blue | = | Green |
The secondary colors are created by combining two primary colors. Green results from mixing yellow and blue. To make teal, green is combined with blue.
Percentage of Blue in Teal
When creating teal, blue is the lower percentage color while green makes up more of the mix. Different shades of teal can be created by adjusting the levels of blue and green.
Here are some common percentages of blue used to create popular teal shades:
| Teal Blue | 10% blue |
| Green Teal | 20% blue |
| Blue Green | 30% blue |
| True Teal | 40% blue |
As you can see, the blue percentage typically ranges from 10% up to 40% when making various teals. The lower blue percentage creates a more greenish teal, while a higher blue percentage yields a bluer teal.
Percentage of Green in Teal
While blue makes up a smaller portion of teal, green constitutes a higher percentage. Here are some example green percentages used to make common teal variations:
| Teal Blue | 90% green |
| Green Teal | 80% green |
| Blue Green | 70% green |
| True Teal | 60% green |
Green typically makes up 60-90% of teal shades. More green results in a brighter, greener teal, while reducing the green percentage creates a deeper, bluer teal. The balance of blue and green percentages produces the ideal teal tone.
Creating Different Teal Variations
By adjusting the percentages of blue and green, many shades of teal can be mixed. Here are some example teal variations created by changing the green and blue percentages:
| Color Name | Blue % | Green % |
| Mint Teal | 10% | 90% |
| Seafoam Teal | 15% | 85% |
| Tiffany Teal | 20% | 80% |
| Teal | 40% | 60% |
| Dark Teal | 45% | 55% |
Lighter teals like mint and seafoam use less blue, while darker teals use more blue. Tiffany teal gets its name from Tiffany & Co. branded products. The examples above demonstrate how small changes in the green and blue percentages create noticeably different teal shades.
Proportion of Blue to Green in Teal
Based on the percentages above, you can see that teal typically contains significantly more green pigment or light than blue. On average across different teal variations, the proportion of blue to green is:
| Blue | 25% |
| Green | 75% |
So in most teals, green makes up about three times as much of the color compared to blue. This 3:1 proportion creates the ideal balance of blue and green for a rich teal color. The higher concentration of green gives teal its distinctly greenish-blue appearance.
Complementary Colors
The complementary color for teal is reddish-orange. This means reddish-orange is directly opposite teal on the color wheel. When placed side-by-side, teal and reddish-orange complement each other for maximum contrast.
Some examples of reddish-orange colors that complement teal:
| Vermilion |
| Coral |
| Orange-Red |
| Burnt Orange |
Using teal with its complementary reddish-orange provides bold, vibrant color combinations. The contrast makes both colors stand out more.
Tones of Teal
There are a wide range of teal tones available by tweaking the green and blue percentages. Here are some examples of tones that can be created:
| Light Teal | Higher green%, lower blue% |
| Bright Teal | More green than blue |
| Pale Teal | Very light green and blue |
| Dark Teal | Higher blue%, lower green% |
| Deep Teal | Lower green, higher blue |
| Dull Teal | Muted green and blue |
These demonstrate how playing with the green and blue balances affects the teal tone. Lighter, brighter teals use more green. Darker, deeper teals use more blue. Dull, muted teals reduce saturation of both colors.
Shades of Teal
Adding black or white to teal produces different shades:
| Teal with white added | Lighter, softer shade |
| Teal with black added | Darker, richer shade |
Small amounts of white or black adjust the teal shade without drastically changing the color. This creates variety within the teal color profile.
Tinting Teal
Tinting means mixing a color with white to lighten it. Here are some examples of teal tints:
| Sea Glass Teal | 75% teal, 25% white |
| Watercolor Teal | 60% teal, 40% white |
| Pastel Teal | 50% teal, 50% white |
Adding increasing amounts of white progressively lightens the teal into pastel territory. Tinting allows subtle lightening of teal for an aged, weathered appearance.
Toning Teal
Toning involves adding gray to create a muted, softer shade of a color. Some examples of toned teal:
| Hazy Teal | 75% teal, 25% gray |
| Misty Teal | 50% teal, 50% gray |
| Stormy Teal | 25% teal, 75% gray |
The gray lowers the saturation, creating a duller, grayish teal. Toning achieves a subtler, more weathered teal versus tinting.
Shading Teal
Shading is the process of mixing a color with black to darken it. Some shaded teals:
| Forest Teal | 75% teal, 25% black |
| Deep Sea Teal | 50% teal, 50% black |
| Night Teal | 25% teal, 75% black |
Adding black progressively darkens the teal. Shading enables deeper, richer teal tones.
Teal Color Harmony
Teal works harmoniously with many colors due to its versatility as a primary, secondary, and tertiary color. Here are some examples of color harmonies using teal:
| Analogous colors | Teal, blue, green |
| Complementary colors | Teal, burnt orange |
| Split complementary | Teal, red-violet, yellow-green |
| Triadic colors | Teal, violet, chartreuse |
| Tetradic colors | Teal, red, yellow, blue |
Teal fits nicely in monochromatic, analogous, and complementary harmonies. It also works well in triadic and tetradic harmonies by providing a balancing tertiary color.
Psychology of Teal
Teal has some interesting psychological effects. It is seen as both calming and rejuvenating. The green tones evoke feelings of relaxation and refreshment while the blue creates a soothing sensation. Teal is also viewed as gentle and feminine. It has an air of sophistication and grace as well.
From a marketing perspective, teal communicates dependability, trust, and security. It has connotations of nurturing and caring. Many healthcare and medical companies use teal for these comforting qualities. Teal is also used to signify open communication. Overall, teal balances the stability of blue with the rejuvenation of green.
Uses of Teal
Some common uses and associations with the color teal:
| Nature | Sea, sky, peacock feathers |
| Food/Drink | Spearmint gum, pistachio ice cream |
| Corporate | Starbucks, Netflix, Microsoft |
| Healthcare | Hospitals, dental offices, veterinarians |
| Fashion | Bridesmaid dresses, pumps, clutches |
Teal is found extensively in nature, particularly bodies of water. It is commonly used for food and beverage products. Many major corporations employ teal in their branding. Healthcare providers use teal to signal trust and caring. In fashion, teal conveys elegance and style.
Geography of Teal
Teal can be found naturally in mineral deposits around the world. Significant teal deposits are found in:
| Zimbabwe |
| United States |
| Chile |
| Iran |
| Afghanistan |
| Australia |
| Finland |
| Norway |
These countries contain mineral pigments like azurite, malachite, and chrysocolla which lend themselves to making vibrant teal paints and dyes. The availability of these mineral teal pigments led to the popularity of teal in works from these areas.
Teal in Art and Culture
Teal has been used in art and design for centuries:
| Chinese Celadon Pottery | 1000-1400 AD |
| Persian Tiles | 1400-1600 AD |
| Victorian Wallpaper | 1837-1901 |
| Art Deco Design | 1920-1940 |
| Mid-Century Modern | 1933-1965 |
The distinctive green-blue tone of teal made it a popular choice for ceramics, tiles, textiles, paintings, and more throughout various eras and cultures. It continues to be prevalent in modern graphic design and decor.
Teal Pigments and Dyes
Some common pigments and dyes used to produce teal:
| Natural Pigments | – Azurite – Malachite – Chrysocolla |
| Synthetic Pigments | – Phthalocyanine – Perylene |
| Dyes | – Acid dyes – Basic (cationic) dyes |
Natural mineral pigments were originally used to create teal paints. Synthetic organic pigments are manufactured today for brighter, consistent teal coloring. Acid and basic dyes are employed for teal fabrics.
How Light Affects Teal
The way light interacts with teal affects how we perceive the color:
| Sunlight | Intensifies and brightens teal |
| Candlelight | Mutes and dulls teal |
| Fluorescent light | Appears more blue |
| LED light | Colder, slightly desaturated |
Under different lighting conditions, teal can look brighter or more muted, warmer or cooler. Consider how lighting affects teal for accurate color rendering.
Cleaning and Preserving Teal
To clean and preserve teal materials:
| Fabric | – Wash gently in cold water – Avoid bleach |
| Painted surfaces | – Dust gently with soft cloth – Avoid abrasive cleaners |
| Ceramics | – Hand wash only – Avoid dishwasher |
Careful, gentle cleaning methods will maintain the vibrancy of teal over time. Aggressive scrubbing or harsh chemicals may damage teal surfaces.
Conclusion
Teal is created by combining green and blue, with green making up a higher percentage in most shades. Adjusting the ratio of green to blue achieves different teal tones, tints, and shades. Teal works in many color schemes. It has natural, sophisticated, and calming connotations. From minerals to paints, teal has been an esteemed color for art and design across many cultures. With proper care, the beauty of teal can be preserved for many years. Understanding the origins and composition of teal provides a deeper appreciation of this complex color.
