Logo Colours: What is best for your business in 2023?

The logo colour of your brand can signal a lot about the type of business you are. From creating a sense of trust and reliability to conveying youthfulness and fun, colours have a powerful impact on how people perceive your brand.

While most people focus on the shape and design of their logo, a lot of thought should go into choosing the right colour for your brand.

This is because colours indirectly impact our emotions and behaviours – a fact that has been proven by numerous studies.

For example, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that blue logos make people feel more confident and trusting of the brand while green makes people feel calm (the feeling of laying in the grass and looking up at leaves is peaceful). But this is not definitive!

The wrong Logo colour can damage your brand image no matter how good your logo is, but the right one can help you stand out from competitors while conveying the message that you want to send.

So how do you choose a logo colour that will best represent your brand? 

A guide to the meaning of some Popular logo colours

To find the best colours for your logo, it’s important to understand the meaning of each colour.

If you want your brand to convey a certain feeling, then choosing the right colours is essential. So let’s take a look at the meanings behind different logo colours.

1. Red Logo Colour

Did you know red translates to 'beautiful' in the Russian Language? 

It's true. And it's not just Russians who associate red with beauty.

It has been associated with all things positive since ancient times, and this is the reason why many brands choose to use it in their logos.

The colour red is a universal sign of excitement, passion and love; however it can also signify war, anger and stress.

A bright red logo colour is a classic marketing trick because it catches the eye and creates a sense of urgency.

Humans have a natural affinity for the colour red. It's the first colour most babies see—along with black and white—and scientists speculate that we developed this ability as we evolved so that our ancestors could spot fruits amongst green vegetation more easily.

Lots of restaurants use red because it has been shown to increase appetite and increase how much people spend.

Red is a powerful colour that can be used for just about any business that is playful, modern and youthful. If not, then red may not be the right logo colour for you

When to use Red as a Logo Colour

1. If you own a restaurant, you should definitely consider using a red logo colour. It will increase appetite, which means that people will be more likely to order food from you.

This is why fast food restaurants like KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Wendy's all have red logos, reports the article “The Psychology of Color in Logo Design.” 

The logos of other companies—Kellogg’s, Nabisco, Heinz, Dairy Queen Lay’s Coca-Cola Budweiser, and Redbull —are also red.

2. If you're a clothing company, then red is another good option for you as well. Red makes people feel warm—which is why it's so popular during the winter months—so it can be used to promote warmth in cold climates or coolness in hot ones e.g Supreme

3. If you are trying to attract younger customers, then red may be the right colour for your business. It's also good for companies that want a modern feel or are actively seeking innovative solutions to problems. 

2. Green Logo Colour

Did you know Suicides dropped by 34% when London’s Blackfriar Bridge was painted green?

Green is naturally associated with peace, the earth, money, and tranquillity. It can also be used to promote a sense of security or safety. Because it's so closely associated with nature, green is also good for companies that want to give off an environmentally friendly vibe.

Green is the colour of nature. It represents health, fertility and growth. It also symbolises renewal, freshness and peace.

When to use Red as a Logo Colour

1. If you're a food company or sell organic products, then green may be your best choice for a logo colour because it conveys cleanliness, purity and wholesomeness.

2. Green is also used by many companies that want to project an eco-friendly image—especially those in renewable energy sectors such as solar power or wind turbines.

3. As with red, if you are trying to attract younger customers then green may be another good option for your business as well.

4. If you are looking to portray safety and security, then try using the colour green—like in WhatsApp. The mobile messaging app promises secure and simple messaging as well as calling.

3. Blue Logo Colour

Did you know in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance blue was so rare, that it was more valuable than gold?

The colour blue is often associated with peace, calm and tranquillity. This is why many companies use it as their logo colour.

It also conveys trustworthiness, loyalty and dependability which are all qualities that customers look for in a company.

And if you notice, most nurses at hospitals wear blue. Infact, a study showed that most sick infants preferred to be taken care of by nurses wearing blue.

When to use Blue as a Logo Colour

1. It can also be used by companies who want to convey a feeling of calmness or serenity—especially if they are in the travel industry like Air Canada.

2. According to Color That Site, blue is also often associated with loyalty, which makes it an ideal colour choice for businesses that want to attract customers who will remain loyal over time (such as airlines).

3. If you are in the pharmaceutical industry, then a blue logo colour can be a good choice because it has been proven to help patients relax and feel more comfortable when taking their medication.

4. Pink Logo Colour

Did you know During the 1980s, a study showed that certain shades of pink could reduce aggression, so prison wardens started painting the insides of cells a shade of pink called ‘Baker-Miller Pink’.

Pink is a soft, calming & nostalgic colour that takes people back to their childhoods.

It’s often associated with youth, romance, and sweetness—which makes it perfect for companies that want to appeal to women.

According to research, Pink is also often associated with “innocence” or purity which makes it an ideal colour choice for businesses that are family-friendly such as candy manufacturers or children's clothing stores.

When to use Pink as a Logo Colour

1. If you’re a women’s clothing store or beauty salon.

2. If you want to appeal to the younger generation of customers.

3. If you sell children's products.

5. Brown Logo Colour

Brown is the least used logo colour due to some reasons but if you use it, be sure to stand out.

As the colour of wood and earth, it is usually associated with everything stable, down to earth and reliable. Some brands prefer brown rather than green to portray eco-awareness.

It also has an association with stability, which means it’s not the best choice for a startup business or one that is seeking to be innovative or unique.

Brown is often used as a neutral colour in logos because it can blend in well with other colours.

When to use Brown as a Logo Colour

1. If your company offers products or services related to gardening, landscaping, farming or forestry.

2. If you want customers to feel safe and secure when purchasing from your company.

3. If your business deals with insurance companies.

4. Those selling natural brown products such as chocolate.

5. For companies who want to have a vintage, hand-made feel.

6. Black Logo Colour

Black is another popular choice for logo colours. It’s associated with cleanliness and sophistication, which makes it a good choice for companies that sell luxury goods or services.

Black also conveys the idea of power and authority, so if you want customers to feel safe when doing business with you, black may be the right colour for your logo.

If you offer very affordable and economical products, then stay away from a black logo colour.

When to use Black as a Logo Colour

1. If your company offers products or services related to accounting, insurance companies or any other industry where you want customers to feel safe and secure, then a black logo colour will help convey that message.

2. If your company deals with security systems, surveillance or any other product or service related to law enforcement, black is a great colour choice.

3. If your company has a reputation for being a leader in its industry, then using black can help reinforce that perception among customers and prospects.

7. White Logo Colour

The white logo colour is one of the  most popular choices for companies.

White is the absence of colour. It’s clean and professional, but it can also be used to create a fun and memorable brand.

White is mostly used as a contrasting colour, either to create negative space in a logo or to compliment the other colours in their entourage e.g FedEx.

When to Use White as a Logo Colour

1. If your company offers products or services related to health care, fitness, or wellness then using white as a logo colour will help convey that message.

2. If your company deals with office supplies such as pens, paper clips, or sticky tape, then using white will help reinforce that perception among customers and prospects.

3. If your company offers products or services related to technology and innovation, then using white as a logo colour will help convey that message.

4. If your company deals with electronics such as computers, cell phones, or televisions then using white will help reinforce that perception among customers and prospects.

How to choose a logo colour for your brand?

Before choosing a logo colour for your brand, think about the message you want to send out. What virtues do you want to highlight? Trustworthiness, safety, trust , quality, reliability, innovation, etc.

Once you’ve determined the message you want to send out, choose a colour that will best reinforce that perception among customers and prospects.

Also, make sure the colour you choose aligns with your target audiences' personal identities.

This Is because customers tend to choose products or services that align with their identities, the right colours will help them make purchasing decisions in your favour.

What Logo Colour will you choose?

Choosing a colour for your logo is not just about what you like best.

Think about how you want your brand's personality to be perceived, and look for colours that match.

It’s also worth considering what your competitors are doing. Is it worth following a trend or are you ready to take the risk of standing out from your peers?

Let us know in the comments what colour your logo is (or will be).

If you are unsure about which Logo colour will suit your brand, We’re here to help!

We have a team of designers who are ready to assist you with all your Logo Colour needs.

Feel free to Contact us.