Handmade Hue

Jun 10, 2025
2 min read

Updated: May 8

Colour is used by marketers to influence everything from our appetite to our buying decisions, and it has a massive impact in our environment, on the way we feel. To me, colour is stimulating in all sorts of ways. Whether colours are kindred spirits or lively opposites, the right pairing can lift a whole design.

Crafty colour concepts for handmade cards

Using colour to set the emotional tone before a single word is read, is one of the foundational principles of graphic design. Every hue carries an association: soft neutrals and muted tones create a sense of calm and sophistication, making them a natural fit for wedding cards, sympathy cards, and elegant thank you cards. Saturated colours bring energy and movement - the instinctive language of birthday cards, celebration cards, and anything that calls for a little joy. The cards I make are generally half the standard A6 size, so I tend to restrain my palette to two main colours, or different shades of the same colour, as too many colours in a small space can compete for attention and flatten the visual hierarchy. Having said that, a vibrant array of multi-colours can look amazing, so it's entirely about what looks and feels good to you.

Using different shades of the same hue adds depth without competing for attention in a small space.

The alchemy of colour in card-making

Any attempt to define colour with all it's myriad qualities, is somewhat futile. Colour is alchemy; it changes everything. Simply experience it, and have fun with it. Create mock-ups, play with samples, paint things, move it all around, and see what makes your heart sing. It might pay to be selective and disciplined, or it might not. Making a Mood Board like the one below from Tricia Guild is an excellent way to experiment with texture and colour. Follow your own intuition and enjoy the creative process. Discover more inspiring ways with cards and colour on Pinterest.