Neon colors: Designs, tips, history and palettes

A burst of neon can electrify any canvas, making it impossible to look away. These bold, eye-catching hues have carved a unique niche in the visual arts, captivating graphic designers, artists, photographers, and social media enthusiasts alike. But what exactly are neon colors, and what makes them shine so brightly?

Join us on a journey as we unravel the secrets behind these luminous shades, explore their meaning, dive into different types of neon colors, and discover how to wield their brilliance to create stunning designs that pop. Whether you’re an experienced pro or just starting on your creative path, this guide will shed light on the world of neon colors and inspire your next artistic venture.

What are neon colors?

Neon colors, often referred to as fluorescent or electric colors, are a captivating subset of hues known for their intense brilliance. These colors appear to emit their own light, giving them a radiant, almost glowing quality that’s hard to ignore—like in the case of these neon color patterns.

Imagine neon colors as the superheroes of the color world—incredibly vibrant and mesmerizing. These super-bright shades, like electric green, vivid pink, and blazing orange, practically leap off the canvas or screen. You’ve probably seen them in neon signs outside nightclubs or in the vivid ink of a highlighter pen. In fact, the unmistakable allure of neon colors lies in their ability to add a dynamic and energetic vibe to any creative project.

The secret behind their brilliance lies in special pigments containing fluorescent dyes. These dyes have a unique ability: they absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and then transform it into visible light. This process makes neon colors appear vivid and intense, even in low-light conditions.

Neon Colors vs Fluorescent Colors

You may have heard the terms “neon” and “fluorescent” used interchangeably when describing these intense colors. While they share some similarities, there are subtle distinctions worth noting.

• Neon colors: As we’ve discussed, neon colors are known for their vibrant and almost glowing quality. They appear to emit their own light and are created using special pigments containing fluorescent dyes. These colors are often associated with bold, attention-grabbing shades like electric green, vivid pink, and blazing orange.
• Fluorescent colors: Fluorescent colors are a broader category that includes neon colors. What makes them fluorescent is their ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and then emit it as visible light, resulting in a striking, intense appearance. This property is not exclusive to the vivid hues we typically think of as neon; it can also include more subdued shades.

So, while all neon colors are fluorescent, not all fluorescent colors are neon. The term “fluorescent” encompasses a wider range of colors that exhibit the same light-absorbing and emitting properties. When you’re aiming for that unmistakable, ultra-bright look, you’re likely to be looking for neon colors specifically.

Types of neon colors

The story of neon colors begins with the invention of neon lights, which emitted a distinctive red-orange glow. These early neon lights, created in the early 20th century, were a result of using neon gas, which naturally produced this fiery hue when electrified. What’s equally as impressive is the way neon lights are created. The technique for making them has barely changed in 100 years, and it takes a specialist with a steady hand and knowledge of science to create them. Using heat to bend and blow glass tubes into an infinite number of shapes, including letters, icons, and logos, the specialist will then fill them with neon gas at low pressure, allowing an electrical current to pass through. The color of the light depends on the type of gas used in the glass tube:

• Neon – Orange
• Hydrogen – Red
• Helium – Yellow
• Mercury – Blue
• Carbon dioxide – White

This innovation gave rise to the dazzling world of neon hues that we know today. Here you have some of them, together with neon color hex codes:

Neon color green

Known for its vibrant and lively nature, neon green comes in various electrifying shades, including “chartreuse” (#B0FC38) and “electric lime” (#ccff00).

Neon color red

Beyond the traditional neon hue, you’ll encounter captivating variations like “neon red #2” (#ff0055) and “electric orange” (#ff3403).

Neon color blue

“Electric ultramarine” (#3f00ff) and “electric cyan” (#0ff0fc) are captivating shades that command attention.

Neon color pink

From the playful “neon pink” (#fe019a) to the striking “brutal pink” (#ff00bb) and “pink glow stick” (#ff33ee), these shades convey bold femininity, love, boundless energy.

Neon color purple

“Bright purple” (#BC13FE) and “proton Purple” (#a760ff) both bring a touch of opulence and sophistication.

Neon color yellow

The neon yellow family encompasses hues like “true neon yellow” (#f3ff00), “electric yellow” (#ffff33), and “Coraline’s boots” (#faff61).

Neon color meanings

Now that we have a grasp on what neon colors are and how they differ from other bright hues, let’s learn more about color psychology and the meaning behind these radiant shades. Like all hues, bright neon colors can evoke certain emotions and symbolism, making them powerful tools in visual communication.

• Neon orange – #FF5E00: The color orange is associated with energy and excitement, representing enthusiasm, creativity and happiness. It stimulates mental activity and can create a sense of warmth and comfort, promoting feelings of motivation and blissfulness.
• Neon yellow – #FFF01F: The color yellow is associated with joy, optimism, and happiness. It stimulates mental activity, promoting feelings of creativity and optimism. This cheerful color can also create a sense of warmth, making it a popular choice for marketing materials and products.
• Neon green – #39FF14: Green is associated with balance, renewal, peace, and harmony. It creates a feeling of growth and health, promoting feelings of safety and calmness. Nature-inspired shades of green can also give a sense of tranquility and help to relax the mind.
• Neon blue – #1F51FF: Blue is a calming and tranquil color that is associated with trust and serenity. It creates feelings of security, comfort, and relaxation. Shades of blue can also evoke feelings of calmness and clarity, making it ideal for promoting productivity and focus.
• Neon purple – #BC13FE: Purple is an emotionally stimulating color that evokes feelings of luxury and sophistication. It symbolizes creativity, wisdom, and magic. Shades of purple can also bring feelings of peace, calmness, and introspection, making it a great choice for promoting relaxation and meditation.
• Neon pink – #FF44CC: Pink is an emotionally soothing color associated with romance, femininity, and sweetness. It is often used to represent love, kindness and compassion. Soft shades of pink can induce feelings of calmness and tranquility, while brighter hues are invigorating and energizing.
• Neon red – #FF3131: Red is an emotionally intense color that evokes feelings of passion, energy and courage. It is often associated with strength, power, and confidence. Red can make people feel energized and motivated, but in too large doses it can be overwhelming and even induce anxiety.

No matter the specific hue, neon colors are generally associated with energy, vibrancy, innovation, and modernity. They can add a dynamic and youthful feel to any design or setting.

Are neon colors on the color wheel?

Understanding where neon colors fit on the color wheel is crucial for creating a harmonious palette. Neon colors are essentially highly saturated and vibrant versions of their base colors. They sit in various places on the color wheel, depending on their base hues. For instance:

• Neon pink typically resides in the red-pink spectrum.
• Neon green finds its place in the green-yellow part of the wheel.
• Neon orange is an intensified version of the orange-red range.

Keep in mind that neon shades can vary in saturation and brightness, so their exact position on the color wheel might shift slightly. However, this knowledge can serve as a valuable starting point when you’re crafting your neon color palette.

How to design with neon colors

In order to master the art of using neon colors in design, a careful balance is required. These vibrant shades, if not used correctly, can easily overpower a design. When it comes to working with them, it’s absolutely crucial to use them as accents rather than making them the main color. The reason being, overusing neon has the potential to overwhelm viewers and may even strain their eyes. To maintain a harmonious balance, it’s advisable to pair neon colors with neutral or muted tones.

Moreover, one should consider the context in which neon colors will be used. Generally, they are often associated with elements of fun and playfulness, making them ideal for designs related to youth culture, music, or entertainment. However, deploying neon in a more serious or professional setting may not yield the same positive impact.

Typography, too, presents its own set of challenges with neon colors. Neon shades can be difficult to read when used as the main color for text. Therefore, it’s recommended to reserve neon colors for headlines or for creating striking highlights, rather than using them for the entire body of text. Consider these collections of neon fonts and neon color backgrounds when creating your own design.

One of the key traits of neon colors is their unique glow that can add depth and dimension to designs. This effect can be further enhanced by incorporating contrasting colors around the neon shades, such as dark blues or purples.

Once you know about all these details, the next step is to learn how to create a neon color palette and, once you finish your design, how to print neon hues.

Neon color palette

Creating a neon color scheme is an art that goes beyond simply picking bright colors and calling it a day. It’s about understanding how different neon shades work together to avoid clashes and overwhelming effects. One effective approach is to pair complementary colors like pink and green or blue and orange.

Alternatively, you can explore analogous colors, those that sit next to each other on the color wheel, such as yellow and orange or blue and purple. Start by picking those core neon colors that really make a statement. Imagine them as the bright stars in your design galaxy. And don’t forget to introduce some quieter, neutral tones.

These are the supporting actors that keep the neon stars from stealing the whole show. If you need a visual example, these neon color images and neon color videos can help you a lot.

Now, with Cyber Monday just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to infuse your design with a Cyber Monday color palette. Consider incorporating shades of electric blue, vibrant red, and sleek black to give your design a festive and enticing feel.

These colors resonate with the Cyber Monday spirit of incredible deals and online shopping extravaganzas. Remember, the right color palette can make your Cyber Monday promotions stand out and attract attention in a crowded digital marketplace.

But it doesn’t stop there. You also need to pay attention to the saturation of neon shades. Some hues may appear brighter and more intense than others, so thorough testing of various combinations is essential to ensure your palette is harmonious and visually striking. By mastering these techniques, you can create a neon color palette that captivates and energizes your design without the need for extensive lists or bullet points.

How to print neon colors

Unfortunately, with print, the whole idea of neon seems to be a little dull. With no bright, high-resolution screen to illuminate your neon designs, you might need to come up with some cunning ways to brighten up your design. You can use techniques such as backlighting to illuminate your designs for real.

Alternatively, you can achieve the desired effect by using a specialty printing process known as screen printing. This method involves creating stencils for each color and layering them on top of each other in order to create the final image.

Another essential aspect of successfully printing neon colors is selecting the right materials. Neon colors are best printed on a dark or neutral background to allow them to pop and create the desired glowing effect. Additionally, it’s important to use high-quality, glossy paper to truly bring out the vibrancy of neon shades.

You can practice printing these neon color wallpapers. On the other hand, you can find a specialist print service that provides different types of print finishes, such as vivid inks or fluorescent materials.

In conclusion, designing with neon colors requires careful consideration and technique in order to create visually appealing and impactful designs. By understanding the principles behind using neon shades, creating a cohesive color palette, and utilizing appropriate printing methods, designers can effectively use these bold colors to bring their designs to life. So go ahead and experiment with neon—just remember to use it wisely!