The Art of Color Balance

Color balance is essential to great design. The more colors you use, the more complicated it is to achieve a good balance. Using a color wheel can help you visualize the effect of using multiple colors. Here are a few ways to combine colors:

Monochromatic
To use a monochromatic color, choose your main color and vary the intensity (A).

Complementary
To find complementary colors, draw a straight line from one color across the wheel to find the other (B).

Analgous
To find analgous colors, choose colors that are next to your main color choice on the wheel (C).

Triad
To find triad colors, find three colors evenly spaced around the wheel to form a triangle (D).

There are many other techniques you can use. Experiment with some choices to see what works best for you or appeals to your target consumer. And remember, no matter what colors you choose, make sure the text on your label is still easy to read.