I have a client who is revamping a logo created 25 years ago. He also wants a web site makeover. I need to advise him on specific colors that would work well for both his web site and printed materials (he does a lot of brochures and such).
I realize print and web will never look identical since print uses reflected light while web uses transmitted light. And I know that, unless calibrated, most monitors display colors at least slightly differently.
Ideally, I’d like some advice on actual hex values, and their corresponding Pantone numbers, that I can recommend. Are there any guidelines for this kind of thing?
Thanks @pmw57. I knew there were Pantone to hex converters online. What I’m really asking is more of an aesthetic question: “Which colors look good both online and in print?” There are some colors that look fantastic when printed on a glossy brochure, but look horrible on a web site, even if the color is technically the same. And the reverse is true as well. I’ve seen great web site colors that just don’t “make it” when printed.
What I really want to find is a palette that works well in both mediums.
I think it’s a matter of trial and error, the problem is that print and web aren’t meant to mix and to all intensive purposes, there isn’t a scheme (apart from black/white) which works and looks equal for both mediums. Part of the reason is due to web using RGB and print using CMYK.
If you want some better color converters than those given above, I can post some for you
But I do agree, I honestly think it is unrealistic to expect that you will find a palette that always works the same in both media. And, of course, the variance in people’s monitor setups means that it will probably not come out the same anyway from person to person. It is a LOT to ask.
A lot of places just use a web palette that is similar to, but not identical to, the colours in use on printed matter. In fact, we do it here at SitePoint. The orange we use in our logo is nowhere near as loud as the orange we use on our covers (which is usually an epic orange fluoro – you can’t miss our books on the shelf!). We simply can’t reproduce that in RGB, and that’s okay.
Alas, sorry to dispel any myths you might have bought into DT but the “web safe palette” is more than 256 colors for elderly monitors, it encompasses the web smart palette and more importantly color in web accessibility. While monitors can receive upgrades, peoples eyes cannot. There are a great number of individuals who are colorblind either partially or completely. This presents a serious problem that few web designers account for, the obvious lack of being able to see colors (whether red, green, blue or all colors) it presents a need for web safe decisions to continue to be made. Color blindness is effectively a filter on the eyes and a lack of ability to see or differentiate color hues, given that this condition cannot be cured, serious considerations over color usage (as well as shade and tint need to be observed). Lynda’s website does not mention this at all, rather shocking for a well known brand of education.
Well I think Web safe colors are not at all the same thing as taking in consideration the condition of color blindness!!! http://www.visibone.com/colorblind/
It depends on your definition of “web safe”, I don’t think of websafe as 256 colors or based on a fixed palette. For me web safe means the colors must be used in respect to being safe for your audience. Why limit the definition to disabilities of computer displays when the end users input method is just as important.
I don’t see why it needs to be separated. If web-safe isn’t being used to determine what colors are fit for purpose within a web design then it shouldn’t be used at all. Claiming “web safe” only exists in terms of monitor support is discriminatory against the purpose of “safe” scheming (as per the literal meaning of what “safe” for use comprehends). Web safe typography takes into account not using symbolic fonts (to ensure readability), so should websafe colors.
Web safe typo never changed of meaning nor definition!
“Web safe colors” was used to define a different concept! hence the confusion… Anyway it is not a big deal as the intentions are the same…
