What Colors Should I Choose for My Brand?

Oct 8

If you’ve ever stared at a blank Canva project wondering if blush pink or sage green is the one, you’re not alone.

Choosing brand colors can feel like a big deal — because it is.
But it doesn’t have to be a guessing game.

Here’s how we guide founders across Windsor, Toronto, Hamilton, and Detroit through a smarter, more strategic color process — without the stress.

1. Start with how you want people to feel.

Forget trends for a second.
Your brand isn’t a Pinterest board — it’s a living, breathing business that needs to connect with humans.

Ask yourself:

Do I want to feel warm and approachable, or sleek and high-end?
Do I want to create calm, energy, trust, curiosity?
What do I want people to immediately sense about my business?

This is where color psychology comes in. Each color triggers a different emotional response — and you want your palette to evoke the right vibe for your offer and audience.

2. Use Pinterest the right way — for mood, not mimicry.

Pinterest is gold if you use it intentionally.

Create a board with 15–25 pins that reflect how you want your brand to feel — not just other logos you like. Think:
Textures, interiors, packaging, fashion, product shots, landscapes.

→ Look for patterns: Do you gravitate toward warm tones? Minimal contrast? Bold color pops on neutrals?

This gives you a visual moodboard, not a copy-paste brand. That’s the difference between inspired and generic.

3. Think in palettes — not just one “main” color.

Great brands don’t just pick one favorite color.
They use a palette of 3–5 intentional shades, including:

A primary brand color (the one that shows up most often)
A secondary color to complement or contrast
A neutral or background tone
An accent color for buttons, CTAs, and moments of pop

This gives you range — especially when you need your brand to show up across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Shopify, print materials, and packaging.

4. Make it functional — not just pretty.

Your colors need to work across formats and screen sizes.

Can you layer text over your brand colors and still read it?
Do your tones work in both print (CMYK) and digital (RGB/HEX)?
Is your contrast high enough for accessibility?

Choosing colors is part emotion, part technical. A good designer knows how to bridge both.

5. Don’t skip color testing — especially if you’re local.

Colors can look different on screen vs. print, and perception varies by audience.

If you're based in Windsor, Hamilton, or Detroit, test your brand visuals on the actual platforms your audience uses — Instagram, Pinterest, your website, even packaging mockups. This helps you see how your palette performs in real-world environments.

TL;DR:

Choosing your brand colors isn’t about guessing or going with your favorite shade of green.
It’s about creating a palette that makes people feel something — and keeps them coming back.

At Buttered Branding, we guide you from emotional clarity to strategic color execution.
Our brand development process includes collaborative Pinterest moodboarding, expert color theory, and fully built-out palettes that work everywhere your brand does.

Let’s make sure your colors are doing more than just looking cute. Book your discovery call to get started.