Color Combos Businesses Should Avoid

Red and Black

Red and black when combined are simply too dark. The only place you see continual use of red and black is on the covers of scary novels and horror movie posters. The mixture is merely too gothic and edgy to be successful in branding. Clearly, if that is what you are going for, have at it. Nevertheless, for everybody else, this is a color mixture that creates fear and standoffishness.

Red and Green

The colors of Christmas. Were it not for designing something for the holiday months, there is no purpose in using red and green together. To be honest, the combination does not look appealing. Red and green are both bold and bright colors, so when they are put with one another, the outcome is just too showy.

There is also disparity since our ingrained understanding of the colors. Red means stop, and green means go. Red is incorrect, green is right. Red stands for warning, and green stands for encouragement. When paired the outcome is a confusing mess with inconsistent signals. One other reason is that there is a type of color blindness called deuteranopia, making reds and greens look identical. If you want to maximize your design for someone that is colorblind, an additional color should be in between the red and green.

Red and Blue

Unless you are heading for a patriotic style, red and blue is a color combo that is not recommended. Like when combining red and green, you are mixing very bold colors too, adding up to a bright mess. Red backgrounds having blue text, and/or the other way around, is difficult to read. The red overpowers the blue and is going to make you dizzy if you look too long. Unless you are attempting to celebrate the 4th of July, red and blue should remain at a minimum of 6 feet apart.

Black and Yellow

This combination might make you think of bumblebees, cabs, or the Steelers. Black and yellow is a jarring combination that seldom ever works out. The reasoning is that yellow is one of the most brilliant colors you could use, and black is the opposite. Mixing dark and light suddenly makes this a formula for disaster.

The sense that wafts through the color combination is one of warning and boldness. The black withdraws the brightness of yellow, and yellow simply enhances the desolation of black. Basically, these two colors bring out the worst in one another. Keep them separate; they do not get along.

Black and Orange

If it’s Halloween or in the weeks ahead, then simply pair orange and black. For the remainder of the year, stay away from them. This color combination is attached to Halloween so deeply, that it is difficult to make your customers think of anything more when pairing oranges and blacks.

Like the yellow and black combination, they are on opposite ends of the color spectrum. Additionally, like the black and red pairing, the combination projects danger and fear. Your brand is going to be seen as unapproachable if you adorn your products in black and orange.

Benefits of Signs

Signs are one of the most cost-effective ways to market your business. It has been proven that business signage can be less expensive than radio, TV or newspaper ads and more effective than all three according to the SBA (Small Business Association).

Whichever style of sign you choose, you can trust Arizona Commercial Signs for all the help you need along the way. We are your go-to signage and graphics resource and can help with Site assessment, Sign Design, sign permits and the installation of the sign itself.

Are you ready to talk signage with us? Schedule a free consultation with Arizona Commercial Signs by calling us directly at 480 921-9900 or fill out our contact form. We can’t wait to fabricate the signage your business requires!