Color Theory Strategies For Picking Paper Colors

Hi there! I'm Brenna from Crafting with Brenna, and I have some exciting news — I'm currently studying design at university, and it has completely transformed the way I approach my craft projects! One of the biggest game-changers for me has been learning color theory. Today I'm sharing 4 proven, designer approved strategies for choosing paper colors that work beautifully together. These tips will save you time, eliminate the guesswork, and take your projects to the next level!

With so many gorgeous shades of Encore Textured Cardstock to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming. I highly recommend picking up the full collection in the Variety Pack along with the color Swatch Book! The swatch book has convenient labels on every piece, so you can easily create color palettes and reorder your favorites.

How to Choose Cardstock Colors for Paper Crafts

Before we dive in, let me introduce you to the color wheel. It's simply a circle showing how colors relate to each other. Keep it in mind as you read through these strategies — though there is a bit of science involved, it will make everything click.it'll make everything click!

Color Palette Strategy 1: Analogous Colors

Analogous colors are colors that sit right next to each other on the color wheel — think red/pink, orange, and yellow, or violet, pink/red, and orange. As long as they're touching on the wheel, you've got an analogous palette! Here are two of my favorite analogous combinations using Encore Cardstock:

Analogous Palette 1 — Warm Pinks & Peaches: Rosy Cheeks · Parfait · Pink Grapefruit · Peach Whisper · Peach Sherbet · Cantaloupe · Marigold

Analogous Palette 2 — Yellows & Teals: Maize · Golden Amber · Tea Green · Succulent · Really Teally · Glacier Melt

Color Palette Strategy 2: Complementary Colors

Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel, and that contrast is what makes them so eye catching! The classic complementary pairs are red/pink & green, yellow & violet, and orange & blue. Here are three complementary palettes using different shades of each pairing:

Complementary Palette 1 — Blue & Orange: Marigold · Mandarin Orange · Blue Topaz · Honolulu Blue · Indigo

Complementary Palette 2 — Red & Green: Parfait · Pink Grapefruit · Vermilion · Golden Sage · Tea Green · Succulent

Complementary Palette 3 — Yellow & Violet: Banana Pudding · Buttered Popcorn · Hello Sunshine · Larkspur · Violet · Purple Majesty

Color Palette Strategy 3: Split Complementary Colors

This one is a little more advanced, but so worth it! Start by choosing a complementary pair, then instead of using both colors, pick one of them and use the two colors on either side of it on the wheel. For example: start with Red & Green, then branch out to the colors on either side of Green — Blue and Yellow. Your final palette becomes Red, Blue, and Yellow (with a touch of Green if you like!). Here are some of my favorite split complementary combinations:

Split Comp Palette 1 — Violet, Red, Orange & Green: Princess Pink · Rose Topaz · Porcelain Peach · Orange Taffy · Green Tomato · Dark Olive · Mardi Gras Purple

Split Comp Palette 2 — Blue, Violet, Red & Yellow: Snappy Pink · Pink Tulip · Maize · Blue Topaz · Indigo · Inkberry · Morning Glory

Split Comp Palette 3 — Red, Orange, Yellow & Blue: Vermilion · Honey Bear · Hello Sunshine · Sea Mist · Swimming Pool · Capri Cove

Color Palette Strategy 4: The Rainbow Method

This one is the most fun and foolproof! Simply pick one color from every section of the color wheel for an instantly cohesive, full-spectrum palette. Below I have a traditional jewel-tone rainbow palette and a more funky, vintage-inspired one:

Rainbow Palette 1 — Classic Jewel Tones: All American Red · Goldfish · Hello Sunshine · Green Green · Bluebell · Indigo · Violet

Rainbow Palette 2 — Funky Vintage Vibes: Pink Grapefruit · Mac & Cheese · Banana Pudding · Lichen · Sea Mist · Spring Crocus

Brenna's Bonus Tip:

Whatever palette you choose, make sure you include a mix of light, medium, and dark shades so you can layer your paper without losing detail. You'd be surprised how much a project flattens out when all your colors are too similar in value! Check out my Fishing Birthday Card for Men tutorial to see exactly how I failed at this!

I'd love to see which color strategy becomes your new go-to and check out 12x12 Cardstock shop for all the paper! When you finish your next project, snap a photo and share it on Instagram — be sure to tag @12x12cardstock so we can see your beautiful work! Head over to their Instagram page for even more color inspiration, new product drops, and tutorials from the whole design team. Happy crafting! 

-Brenna
@CraftingwithBrenna

Want more color palette ideas? Check out our ombre color choices in this blog post!