Graffiti Color Schemes That Actually Work
Quick answer: Start with strong contrast: a light fill, a very dark outline and a background color that is different from both. Limit yourself to three or four colors, use one accent color for highlights and 3D, and test the combo small before going big.
Bad color can sink great letters. The good news is that graffiti color follows a few simple rules, and most strong pieces use only three or four colors.
The three jobs color has to do
- Fill: the main body of the letters. Usually the lightest or brightest color.
- Outline: separates letters from the background. Usually the darkest color.
- 3D or shadow: adds depth. Often a darker version of the fill or a contrasting accent.
Palettes to copy
| Fill | Outline | 3D | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Black | Red | Loud, classic |
| Lime green | Dark purple | Pink | Playful, 90s |
| Sky blue fade to white | Navy | Orange | Clean, fresh |
| Silver | Black | None | Throw-up standard |
| Orange fade to red | Black | Teal | Warm, high energy |
Contrast beats variety
Squint at your sketch. If the letters blur into the background, your fill and background are too close in brightness. Fix brightness before you worry about hue.
Fades and highlights
A two-color fade inside the fill adds a lot of life for little effort. Put the lighter color at the top. Then add small white shine marks on the upper left of each letter, all facing the same direction.
Test before you commit
Try your palette in the graffiti generator, which lets you change fill, outline and 3D colors live. Then look at the result next to the styles in graffiti styles explained.