Whether you own a concessions stand, a food trailer, or you simply package your own food products, one of the most exciting things about starting your own food business is that you have control over the image you create. You get to choose your business’s name, logo, and colors.
But while it is exciting to make these choices yourself, your selections should come down to more than just personal preference. Putting careful thought into these details will help you take your business to the next level of professionalism and success.
There are two factors in determining a color scheme for your food business: the cultural stereotypes that come with the color and the way those particular colors affect human emotions. Make the right choices is another step toward putting your business on the map.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHADES AND COMBINATIONS
There’s nothing like an old fashioned color wheel to help you choose a color scheme for your business. Remember, it is usually best to choose colors that are either next to each other on the color wheel (complementary colors) or that are adjacent on the color wheel (analogous colors).
You also need to be aware of the connotations of the color schemes you choose. For example, orange and black might create a playful yet elegant atmosphere, but the two together would probably just make most Americans think of Halloween.
BE AWARE OF THE EMOTIONS CREATED BY THE COLORS YOU CHOOSE
Don’t be afraid to incorporate bold colors and contrasts especially when choosing the color scheme for your business. Bright colors will help you stand out in a crowd of food vendors, and they will pique interest in potential customers.
That said, avoid overusing bright colors, especially yellow and orange. These colors are known for making people feel more alert and energetic, but they can also make people more tense and stressed. Studies have shown that people tend to fight more in rooms with yellow walls.
Other colors also stimulate certain emotions. Red has been shown to stimulate both aggression and appetite making it a good choice for food businesses as long as it is used sparingly. Blue has the opposite effect of red. It is known for being a calming color and for making people feel less interested in eating.
Black and gray are great colors for a modern or industrial feel, but in abundance, they have been shown to make people feel oppressed or depressed.
White makes people feel that they are in a clean, safe place, but remember that this clean, elegant color gets dirty easily and shows that dirt off.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTRAST
In the end, the most important step you can take is choosing two colors that work well together, and contrasting colors can help you get the benefits of certain colors without overwhelming your customers, and they will make each other stand out. So choose wisely when selecting the color scheme of your business. It could make all the difference.
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BY AUSTIN DYKSTRA
Austin Dykstra writes about marketing, business, and insurance for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Austin Dykstra has written about everything from Instagram marketing to online reputation management. He is now firmly entrenched in the thrilling world of insurance. You can find Austin on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, where he’s meekly re-entering the fray after quitting during the 2016 election cycle.
