Color plays a direct role in how packaging communicates a brand’s style and message. From bold statements to subtle accents, the right tape color can make a package stand out before it is even opened. Choosing the most effective colors for custom printed tape helps create stronger brand recognition and a consistent visual identity.
Different colors serve different purposes, whether to grab attention, improve readability, or convey a specific tone. By understanding which shades are most used in packaging, businesses can make more informed choices that align with their goals and audience expectations. This article explores the top colors that dominate custom printed tape and why they remain popular across industries.
1. Custom Printed - most common for bold branding
Bold colors on packaging tape help products stand out from the moment they arrive. Bright reds, deep blues, and vivid yellows often draw attention and make the brand easier to recognize. These shades work well for companies that want a strong and consistent visual identity.
Using high-quality custom printed tape allows businesses to display logos, slogans, or patterns directly on their packaging. This not only secures the shipment but also turns every box into a moving advertisement.
Black and white combinations also remain popular for bold branding. The sharp contrast creates a clean look that communicates professionalism. It works across many industries and pairs well with other design elements.
In addition, orange and green often appear in packaging for brands that want to convey energy or freshness. These colors can help products stand out in busy shipping environments while still maintaining a consistent brand message.
2. Black – most common for high contrast and readability
Black remains one of the most popular colors for custom printed tape because it offers strong contrast against light backgrounds. This makes text, logos, and patterns stand out clearly. Many businesses choose black to make information easy to read at a glance.
It works well with white, light gray, beige, or other pale colors. This pairing improves legibility and reduces the chance of important details being overlooked. Designers often use it for bold lettering or key messages.
Black also provides a professional and neutral appearance. It suits a wide range of industries, from retail to manufacturing. In addition, it pairs effectively with bright accent colors for highlighting specific elements.
Some prefer a slightly softer dark gray instead of pure black to reduce glare under strong lighting. However, pure black still remains the standard choice for maximum visibility in most packaging applications.
3. Reflex Blue – popular for vibrant branding
Reflex Blue is a deep, vivid blue that stands out in packaging. It comes from pigments containing cobalt, which give it a strong and consistent color. Many brands choose it for printed tape because it draws attention without looking overly bright.
This shade appears in the Pantone Matching System as one of the standard mixing inks. Its bold tone works well for logos, text, and graphic elements on tape. As a result, it often becomes a signature color in corporate packaging designs.
Printers value its rich appearance, but they also note that it can be more challenging to work with than lighter colors. Despite this, its visual impact makes it a frequent choice for custom tape.
In packaging, Reflex Blue offers a balance between professionalism and visibility. It pairs well with white, silver, and other contrasting colors, which helps important details stand out on boxes and parcels.
4. Process Blue – used for professional, clean looks
Process Blue is a strong, medium-toned blue that gives packaging a sharp and polished appearance. It often appears in corporate branding because it communicates trust and professionalism. This makes it a common choice for custom printed tape in business and industrial settings.
Designers value Process Blue for its clarity and high visibility. It provides strong contrast against both light and dark surfaces, which helps printed text or logos stand out. This contrast also makes it easier for customers to notice branding on packages.
The color works well on its own or with complementary shades. For example, pairing it with white creates a crisp and modern look, while pairing it with orange adds energy and visual interest. These combinations allow brands to match tape designs to their overall packaging style.
In printing, Process Blue maintains consistency across different materials. Its standardized color code helps keep the shade uniform, which is important for a professional and cohesive presentation in packaging.
5. Standard Red – effective for attention and warnings
Standard red is one of the most recognized colors in packaging tape. It stands out sharply against most backgrounds, which makes it effective for drawing the eye. This high visibility helps messages on the tape get noticed quickly.
Many industries use red to signal caution or highlight important information. Its association with stop signs and warning labels makes it a natural choice for safety-related packaging. As a result, it can help reduce the chance of mishandling.
Red also works well for urgent shipping instructions. For example, “Fragile” or “Handle With Care” printed on red tape is harder to overlook. The bold color reinforces the importance of the message without the need for extra graphics.
In addition, red contrasts strongly with lighter box materials such as cardboard or kraft paper. This contrast improves legibility for printed text or symbols, which is useful in busy warehouses or shipping environments.
6. Yellow – bright and eye-catching for visibility
Yellow stands out quickly in most environments. Its high brightness and contrast make it one of the easiest colors for the human eye to notice. This is why it often appears in safety signs and warning labels.
In packaging, yellow tape helps draw attention to specific areas of a box or parcel. It can signal handling instructions or highlight a brand logo. As a result, it works well for both functional and decorative purposes.
This color remains visible in both daylight and low light. That makes it useful for warehouses, shipping facilities, and delivery settings where quick identification matters.
When paired with dark or contrasting colors, yellow becomes even more noticeable. This contrast helps messages or designs on the tape stand out clearly against the background.
Many businesses choose yellow custom tape to make packages easy to spot during transport. It supports quick sorting and reduces the chance of items being overlooked.
Conclusion
The most used colors for custom printed tape often balance brand identity with clear visibility. Black, blue, red, white, and yellow remain common choices because they work well with many box colors and stand out during shipping.
These colors also allow clear printing of logos or text, which helps keep branding consistent across all packages. Businesses often match or contrast tape colors with packaging to create a clean, intentional look.
By focusing on colors that are easy to recognize and reproduce, companies can maintain a professional appearance while making their packages more noticeable. This approach supports both function and presentation without adding unnecessary complexity.
