Struggling to find the colour scheme that makes your promotional merchandise stand out?
Selecting the right colours for your merch is essential for creating an appealing and cohesive look that aligns with your brand identity.
Colour plays a vital role in marketing, influencing perceptions and emotions surrounding your brand.
Dive into this guide to discover top tips and tools for nailing your promotional SWAG colour scheme on the first try.
Where do colour choices exist in Promotional Products?
There are two main locations where colour choices are available in your merch:
- The print/decoration that gets applied to the product
- The product itself such as the backpack, pen or drink bottle
So when you are looking at including your brand colours these are the typical ways colours interact:
- Brand colour product with contrasting print/decoration: The product itself matches the brand’s primary colour, with the logo or message printed in a contrasting colour, laser engraving or debossing.
- Brand colour product with off-tone print: The product is in the brand’s primary colour, with the logo or message printed in a slightly different shade of the same colour.
- Neutral colour product with brand colour print: The product is a neutral colour (such as white, black, or grey) with the logo or message printed in the brand’s primary colours.
- Complimentary colour product with brand colour print: The product is a complimentary colour to the logo or message which is printed in the brand’s primary colours.
- Custom-made brand colour product: The product is custom-made to include elements of the brand colour in the design of the product as well as the print.
The do’s of colours in Promotional Products
- Use colours that align with your brand identity
- Be mindful of the cultural significance of colour – especially if your audience is diverse or international
- Think about your target audience preferences – e.g. bright and colourful for young audiences or sophisticated and muted tones for professionals
- Ensure enough contrast so your logo is legible
The don’ts of choosing colours in Promotional Products
- Compromise on readability
- Overuse bright colours
- Ignore brand guidelines
- Forget practicality – e.g. choose colours that show a lot of dirt or wear if the product is frequently used
Tips and strategies for picking colours
- Create a mood board: Compile images, colour swatches, and elements that inspire and represent your brand’s ethos. This visual collage can serve as a blueprint, guiding your colour choices and overall design.
- Look at colour pallets of competitors: Analysing the colours used by your competitors can provide insights into industry trends and help you differentiate your brand by choosing a unique, yet relevant, colour schemes.
- Take inspiration from nature – Nature’s own palettes can inspire fresh and appealing colour combinations. Whether it’s serene blues of the ocean or vibrant colours of a sunset, natural hues can bring a unique and organic feel to your promotional products.
- Use colour theory: Use a tool that generates colour harmonies such as this free option from Adobe
Check Your Brand Style Guide
When incorporating promotional SWAG into your marketing strategy, it’s essential to refer to your existing brand style guide to ensure consistency across all platforms and products.
If your style guide doesn’t currently include references to merchandise, consider updating it to specify colours, fonts, and logos that align with your promotional materials.
This helps reinforce your brand identity and personality, making every item of SWAG a true representative of your brand’s ethos.
By consistently applying these elements, your promotional products will not only look professional but also strengthen your brand’s presence in the market.
Summing Up
Selecting the right colour scheme for your promotional SWAG is not just about aesthetics- it’s about a strategic decision that can significantly influence how your brand is perceived.
By utilising tools like colour scheme generators, adhering to colour theory principles, and aligning your choices with your brand’s style guide, you ensure that your promotional items consistently reflect your brand’s identity and values.
Additionally, considering the preferences and lifestyles of your target audience can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your promotional efforts.