Did you know that choosing the right colors can make or break your design sales?
It’s true! The colors you pick are super important if you want people to buy your stuff.
In this article, I’ll talk about why colors matter so much and how to choose the best ones. I’ll even share some tricks that top designers use to pick winning colors.
So, it is time to learn how to make your designs pop with the perfect palette!
Why Colors Are a Big Deal
Colors are more than just pretty to look at.
They can make people feel things and even get them to buy stuff! Here’s why colors are so important when you’re selling designs:
Colors Make People Feel Things
Different colors can make people feel different ways. For example:
- Red can make people feel excited or urgent
- Green can make people think of nature and feeling calm
- Blue can make people feel like they can trust something
When you pick colors that match the feeling you want your design to give, it helps people connect with it more.
Colors Attract the Right Customers
Some colors are more popular with certain groups of people. For instance, lots of women like purple, green, and pink. If you know who you want to buy your design, you can choose colors they’ll like.
Colors Show What Your Brand Is About
The colors you use a lot can become part of your brand. Think about how you always know a Coca-Cola ad because of the red and white. Using the same colors over and over helps people remember your designs.
Colors Can Make People Want to Buy
Believe it or not, colors can actually make people more likely to buy something! Up to 90% of quick decisions about products are based just on color. So picking the right colors can really help you sell more.
The Copycat Color Trick
Now, here’s a cool trick that lots of successful designers use. It’s called the copycat color trick, and it’s super easy!
Here’s how it works:
- Look at designs that are selling really well in your type of design
- Notice what colors they use the most
- Use those same colors in your own designs
It’s not cheating, I promise! Colors aren’t protected by copyright, so it’s totally okay to use them. Plus, if those colors are already selling well, it means people like them. So why not use what works?
Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Find top-selling designs in your niche (like Valentine’s Day cards or Halloween shirts)
- Look closely at the main colors they use
- Write down or save those colors
- Use them in your own designs
It’s like getting a cheat sheet from the best designers out there!
Popular Colors for Different Designs
Let’s look at some examples of popular colors for different types of designs:
Valentine’s Day:
- Bright red (of course!)
- Dark pink
- Light baby pink
These three colors together scream “Valentine’s Day!” and can help your designs sell better.
100 Days of School:
- Rainbow colors are super popular here
- Use lots of bright, fun colors together
Black History Month:
There are two main color schemes that work well:
- Green, yellow, and red (these connect to the Juneteenth holiday)
- Browns, tans, and off-white shades
Mardi Gras:
- Purple
- Green
- Yellow
These three are the classic Mardi Gras colors. You could add some bright pink or blue too if you want to get extra festive!
St. Patrick’s Day:
- Kelly green (a rich, deep green)
- Mint green (a pale, light green)
- White
- Yellow
- Orange
Remember, you don’t have to use all these colors. Just pick a few that look good together!
How to Get the Exact Right Shades
Okay, so now you know what colors to use. But how do you get those exact shades? Here’s a simple trick:
- Find a top-selling design you like
- Open it in a design program like Photoshop or Canva
- Use the color picker tool to click on the colors you want
- The program will give you the exact color code (usually called a “hex code”)
- Save that code so you can use the exact same color in your designs
It’s that easy! Now you have the exact colors that are already selling well.
Why This Color Trick Works So Well
Using this copycat color trick is smart for a few reasons:
- It saves you time. Instead of guessing what colors might work, you’re using colors that already do work.
- It helps you stay on trend. Popular colors can change over time, but this trick helps you stay up-to-date.
- It gives you confidence. When you use colors that are already selling well, you can feel more sure about your designs.
- It teaches you about color. As you look at more successful designs, you’ll start to notice patterns and learn what colors work well together.
Tips for Using Colors in Your Designs
Now that you know how to find great colors, here are some tips for using them:
- Don’t use too many colors. Usually, 3-5 main colors are enough for a design.
- Make sure your colors look good together. If you’re not sure, stick to the colors you see used together in top-selling designs.
- Think about where your design will be used. Bright colors might work great on a t-shirt, but softer colors might be better for home decor.
- Consider using a color wheel. This can help you find colors that naturally go well together.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. While copying successful colors is a great start, you can always try your own combinations too!
Making Your Designs Stand Out
While using popular colors is a great trick, you also want your designs to be unique. Here are some ways to stand out:
- Add your own twist. Maybe use a popular color combo but add one unexpected color.
- Play with shades. Try using lighter or darker versions of popular colors.
- Use color in interesting ways. Maybe make the background an unusual color, or use color to highlight certain parts of your design.
- Combine styles. Mix hand-drawn elements with bold color blocks, or try mixing patterns with solid colors.
And don’t forget, the goal is to use colors that sell well, but still make designs that are uniquely yours!
Choosing the right colors for your designs doesn’t have to be hard. By looking at what’s already selling well and using those colors in your own work, you can boost your chances of success.
Recommended Tools For Etsy
Design Nexus newsletter – Get simplified Etsy tips and modern marketing strategies — plus a free Digital Product Starter Kit!
Creative But Fine newsletter – This is your source if you want more detailed guides about Etsy and graphic design.
I have made an entire section of helpful and mostly free tools you can use to build a successful online business on Etsy. See the tools here.
Kittl – A go-to place for any person, who wants to make money with print-on-demand on Etsy.
Creative Fabrica. They have millions of cheap graphics that can elevate your t-shirt design.
Vectorizer – This tool transforms your image into a vector with seconds. scalable without losing the quality.
Disclosure: Some of the links above may contain affiliate partnerships, meaning, at no additional cost to you, NechEmpire may earn a commission if you click through to make a purchase.
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