Color choice is vital in T-shirt design. It is a big factor in the success of the design, both from an artistic perspective and from a technical perspective. In other words, color choice determines whether your T-shirt design is aesthetically pleasing and can successfully be applied with available resources. Eventually, it defines your product quality.
When choosing the perfect color for your design, you can take inspiration from many places. From books to advertisements and product packaging, the possibilities are endless. Here are some color palette big-pictures that you choose before getting into the specifics.
Monochromatic Colors
The monochromatic color palette uses colors from one single color family. The mixture in this palette usually includes darker shades, medium shades, and lighter shades. If you are interested in using monochromatic colors, it is important to pay close attention to the actual application on the T-shirt. For instance, it is always a good idea to choose colors in the design that are darker than the T-shirt color.
Complementary Colors
If you like a more dramatic color combination, a complementary color palette is a perfect choice for you. A great example of the use of this color palette is the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. They can highlight their uniqueness in their main uniform. The choice of the color purple and yellow attract attention greatly. If you are going to a similar design direction, you can take inspiration from them and add your own twist.
Analogous Colors
Analogous color palettes comprise of colors that are located next to each other on the color wheel. Choosing colors in this palette allows you to create calming impressions because the colors are not too strong. This color palette is also good to tone down your design when you need to. If your brand needs a softer feel to it, try implementing analogous colors when creating designs for your products.