Pick a color or draw one at random: the tool suggests 2, 3 or 4 colors that work together, shown on posters.
Understanding color harmonies
A harmony is a relationship between colors on the color wheel. PosterColor computes these relationships in the OKLCH space, which follows human perception: suggested colors keep a consistent lightness and stay displayable on screen.
- Complementary
- Two hues opposite each other on the wheel. The strongest contrast, ideal for a poster that must be seen from afar.
- Monochromatic
- One hue, several lightness levels. Sober and elegant, the contrast comes from light.
- Analogous
- Neighboring hues. A soft, consistent mood, to lift with a difference in lightness.
- Triadic
- Three hues evenly spaced. Vivid and balanced, as long as one color dominates.
- Split complementary
- One hue and the two neighbors of its opposite. The punch of complementary, with more nuance.
- Square
- Four evenly spaced hues. Very rich: keep one for the background and one for details.
- Rectangle
- Two pairs of complementary colors. A contrasted palette that stays easy to balance.
- Double complementary
- Two neighboring hues and their opposites. Warm and cool together on the same poster.
How many colors should you choose?
Two colors are enough for a strong poster: a background and an ink. Three colors add a shape or an accent. Four colors call for more discipline: keep the fourth for small details. Black counts as a color, and it is never required.
Five tips for a minimalist poster
- Contrast lightness, not just hue: legible text needs a luminance difference of at least 4.5:1 with the background.
- Balance the areas: about 60% for the background, 30% for the main color and 10% for the accent.
- One strong shape is enough: a circle, a star or a thick line, behind or across the title.
- Dare to use giant type, cropped by the edges if needed, but never distort the letters.
- Leave empty space: the room around the title is as much part of the composition as the colors.