5 things you might not know about using your brand color palette – How to use your brand colors effectively

Ever wondered if you’re making the most of your brand colors?

It’s not just about picking shades that look good together; it’s about using them in a way that truly represents your brand and connects with your audience.

Colors play a huge role in how people perceive your business, but many small businesses miss the mark when it comes to using them effectively.

In this post, we’ll explore some practical tips on how to leverage your brand colors to enhance your brand’s identity and make a lasting impression.

But first, if you’re still deciding on the perfect color palette for your brand, be sure to check out this blog post on picking brand colors for some helpful insights

Here are 5 tips and tricks you might not know about using your brand colors.

How to effectively use your brand colors:

1. Understand color psychology,
2. Establish a primary and secondary color scheme following the 60-30-10 rule,
3. Maintain color consistency across all platforms
4. Create a style guide
5. Be mindful of trends without following them blindly

1. Understand Color Psychology

Different colors evoke different emotions and associations. For example, blue often represents trust and professionalism, while red can signify energy and excitement. Be sure to chose colors that align with your brands target audience, personality and message.

Make sure your color palette is balanced by pairing colors that provide good contrast and enhance readability.

This not only makes your content more accessible but also maintains visual interest.

2. Establish a Primary and Secondary Color Scheme

Like a color palette within your color palette…. Color palette inception, if you will.

Here’s what you’re going to do here.

You’ll need a set of primary colors for the most used elements & backgrounds and a set of secondary colors & accents for additional design elements.

Typically, your primary brand colors should make up most of your brand visuals with the others used as accents or for specific elements.

A good rule of thumb you can go by here is the 60-30-10 rule.

• 60 percent of your brand visuals should be your primary colors
• 30 percent of your brand visuals should be your secondary brand colors
• 10 percent of your brand visuals should be your accent colors.

This balance helps maintain a cohesive look across all your materials and creates visual interest without overwhelming your audience.

3. Use Color Consistently Across Platforms:

By maintaining color consistency across all platforms, you strengthen your brand’s visual identity and make it easier for your audience to recognize and connect with your business.

Consistent use of color helps create a seamless and professional brand experience that enhances your overall brand presence.

How to use your brand colors consistently

• Website: Use your primary colors for key elements such as headers, buttons, and links, and apply secondary colors for backgrounds, borders, and subtle accents. This creates a cohesive look that reinforces your brand identity online.
• Social Media: Maintain color consistency in your social media profiles, posts, and advertisements. Use your brand colors in graphics, banners, and posts to ensure that your social media presence aligns with your overall brand identity.
• Print Materials: Apply your brand colors to all printed materials, including business cards, brochures, flyers, and packaging. Consistent use of color in print helps strengthen brand recognition and ensures that your physical materials reflect your brand’s visual identity.
• Email Marketing: Incorporate your brand colors in email templates, headings, buttons, and links. Consistent color usage in your emails helps create a cohesive experience for your subscribers and reinforces your brand’s visual identity.
• Packaging: Make sure that your brand colors are reflected in any merchandise or packaging. Consistent color application in these areas not only reinforces your brand but also creates a unified experience for your customers.

4. Create a Style Guide

Develop a brand style guide – this can be as simple as your brand on a page, or a multi page guide – that includes your color palette, color usage guidelines, and examples of correct and incorrect color applications.

This will serve as a reference for maintaining consistency in all your branding efforts.

5. Keep Trends in Mind, But Don’t Follow Them Blindly

While it’s great to stay current with design trends, ultimately you want your color palette to align with your brand’s long-term identity.

Trends can be fun but they can also be fleeting. A well-chosen color palette will stand the test of time.

Color is such a powerful tool to use within your branding that can enhance your brand’s recognition and connection with your audience.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to use your brand colors effectively, creating a visually appealing and cohesive brand identity.