The question of how many colours comes up in almost every project, often as a wish: "I'd like blue, green, a bit of orange…". The good news is that a logo doesn't need many colours to be memorable. The bad news is that each colour you add has a cost, both visual and technical.
Why limit the number of colours
- Legibility. The more colours, the more the eye has to sort; at small sizes, everything blends together.
- Memorability. A two-colour logo is easier to remember and describe than a five-colour one.
- Consistency. A short palette is easier to apply across all materials.
- Printing costs. Some processes charge per colour: screen printing, stamps, embroidery, marking. See how to get your logo printed on clothing or objects.
- Adapting to backgrounds. A logo with a reduced palette sits more easily on a light, dark or photographic background.
A simple balance: dominant, accent, neutral
Beyond the number, it is the balance that makes a palette good. A common structure is to choose one dominant colour (the one people will associate with the business), one accent colour to draw the eye to a specific element, and possibly a neutral (black, white, grey) for text or the background. That gives two or three colours, not counting the white of the page.
What about multicolour logos?
They exist, but they demand more rigour: each colour must have a role, the logo must stay legible in a single colour, and you have to accept extra costs on some materials. For a small business starting out, it is rarely the right bet.
The colour versions to plan for
- The colour version, the main use.
- A one-colour version, for stamps, engraving and embroidery. See monochrome logo: why a single colour.
- A black-and-white version, for low-cost printing. See the black-and-white test (in French).
- A version for dark backgrounds, if the logo was originally designed for a light one.
How to choose your colours
The number is only a framework: choosing the shades depends on the sector and the message. For guidance, read what your logo's colours say about your brand and the best logo colours for your sector (in French).
Frequently asked questions about the number of colours in a logo
Can a logo have more than three colours?
Yes, but it becomes harder to apply: printing, embroidery, stamps and coloured backgrounds all need adaptations. The wider the palette, the more care the simplified versions need.
Do black and white count as colours?
In practice they are often counted separately. In print, the white of the paper isn't an ink, whereas black is one: it depends on the process used.
More questions about logo design
Should You Put a Tagline in Your Logo?
As a rule, no: keep a main logo without a tagline, and a version with a strapline for large materials. Read the article →
Can You Use a Gradient in a Logo?
Yes, as long as you don't depend on it: the logo must exist flat first; the gradient is just a digital option. Read the article →
How Do You Test a Logo With Your Customers Before Approving It?
Show the logo for five seconds to a few customers from your target, then try it on your real materials before approving. Read the article →
Should You Draw Your Logo by Hand Before Moving to the Computer?
In most cases, yes: the pencil explores ideas, the computer builds the final vector file cleanly. Read the article →
How Do I Choose a Logo Style Suited to My Industry?
The style depends on the visual codes of your industry (colours, shapes, tone) and your positioning within that industry. Read the article →
How Do I Know if a Logo Is Trendy Versus Modern?
A trendy logo follows the fashion of the moment; a modern logo stays relevant without following it. Five signs give away a dated logo. Read the article →
What Are the Key Elements of a Professional, Memorable Logo?
A good logo combines five qualities: simple, memorable, timeless, versatile and relevant to the business. Read the article →
See all questions about logo design →
My take as a designer
When a logo hesitates between five or six colours, it is almost never a palette problem but an idea problem: it is trying to show several things at once. I almost always reduce, and the logo gains in strength.
A strong logo works first in a single colour; the others are only reinforcement.
To sum up
An effective logo uses, in practice, one to three colours, split between a dominant, an accent and possibly a neutral.
Fewer colours means more legibility, more consistency and controlled printing costs.
Always plan a one-colour version and a black-and-white version.
