Seeing Double: Two Color Inspiration
Whether you freelance or work at an agency, you are bound to have heard this from a client at one point: “We are trying to cut printing costs, so change this 4 color process piece to be two color”. Your heart sinks… Now, you have to completely rethink the piece using only two colors.
Its always hard to hear, but in my experience, some of the best executed ads/designs/brandings have been two color. Why? Simplicity!
To see what I mean, take a look at some of these beautiful examples of Two Color Printing jobs.
Dockers k-1 Khakis
Tea Hugger
Schmidty’s
Pacific Luxury Business Cards
Effektive Poster Mailer
Bella Sicilia
Scrabble Beermats
FAME Open House Party Materials
Inglis & Rock Branding
9 Myles Collateral Materials
Gander Mountain Tall Tales
Tazaa Soap
GF Smith Limited Edition Poster
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What are your favorite two color designs? Do you think that two color designs are more difficult to design or they are easier to execute?
Chad Engle is currently slaying pixels @BoomtownROI. He abides in coastal Charleston, SC and enjoys living on an island. You should follow, harass or chat to him on twitter @chadengle and @fuelcreativity .
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Very nice post, Chad!
As someone who works with small businesses and start-up clients without a great deal of capital, I try to design responsibly by thinking ahead to printing/reproduction costs down the road. Needless to say, your post is quite welcome and I’m certain to return to it for inspiration!
Thanks for your thoughtful work on this site – it’s good stuff!
Glad to hear it & thanks for the kind words Camille!
2 color is a way to make something stand out and very eye-catching regardless of budget. It just so helps that its a cheaper print job than a 4 color process.
Cheers,
These are just plain and sexy designs. Love it!
nice pack. thanks
Ah the bella sicilia logo is gorgeous..
Yes. That whole identity is flatout amazing. I drool over it often!
Great inspirations. They’re definitely good for a minimalist approach design. Thanks.
I really like “Schmidty’s”. It’s vibrant, eye-catching and colorful, even though it’s a two color piece. It’s kind of frustanting to have to rethink the design but that’s our mission as designers, we have to be creative all the time and be able to develop a concept no matter what.
thanks for the post, it’s great.
“Tea Hugger” is beautiful.
hmmmmm… that’s hard…
I’ll have to say that the soaps and the “Is for you” sets are my favorite.
I’ve really been inspired by the two-color design themes lately. I wish I had the same amount of creativity that those designers do! I have the motivation, though!
PS> ColourLovers is the best thing since sliced bread. Check out my patterns @ http://www.colourlovers.com/lover/nanochromaddict
great stuff.
Love the Tea Hugger design and colours, would it stand out on a supermarket shelf and get picked up by customers?