The Who, What, Where and When of Color In Your Documents

This article will help you to assess and maximise the impact your use of color in your documents and presentations will have on the readers. First of all you need to identify the following;

• who your readers are
• what your purpose is
• when to use color
• where to use color

Who and What?

Determine who your target readers are and what the specific purpose of the document is. Is it an internal product for your employees or is it for the eyes of potential or existing customers.

What is the purpose? Is it to advise, explain, sell, market etc. How many documents are involved? Is it just documents or are multimedia presentations needed. What results are you expecting? All these parameters need to be covered.

Are your target audiences conservative or more open to vibrant colors in documents and presentations. Some cultures associate serious business messages with black and white. Just give your specific situation some thought.

When and Where?

If you are sending a marketing proposal document to a client you will be looking to impress your existing or potential. But beware, the use of bright, fluorescent colors might not go down too well with a firm of accountants or lawyers but may well be appreciated by a music/video company.

If it is an internal document, do you need to use color at all? Consider the cost implication of doing this - Ink cartridge and laser toner usage etc. Unless the purpose of the document is, for example, to explain some major change in company structure, then I suggest you keep to black and white or minimise the color involved.

A situation where you may consider color for internal purposes would be for the production of safety messages. These need to stand out and be noticed.

Finally remember:

• Don't use too many colors or too much colored text. You may lose the impact and readability of the work.

• White text on a black background is harder to reader than black on white.

• Similarly, avoid placing too many color pictures, images or icons on a page.

• Use a color photograph in preference to an illustration or drawing..for selling in particular.

• Used correctly, color can break up the monotony of black-and-white text reading.

• Whatever color theme you have, stick to it throughout the document or presentation.

• Graphs and charts in particular will capture more attention if in color.

• For the graphs etc, don't forget to explain what the colors mean though!

• And don't forget to put captions under pictures. Apparently people read these more than the copy!

• Don't use too many different font types. One type for 'headers' and one for the body text should be sufficient.

• Carry out a readers test on various samples before settling on your final selection.

• Ask several people for their opinion on the samples. Ask them about the readability and the impact factors.

This article may be reproduced in its entirety provided the resource paragraph below is included and all urls kept active.

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at this discount ink cartridge & laser toner store, providing discounted brand name compatible ink cartridge and laser toner supplies. Sign up for the feed on our web site or the blog showcasing the products.

---

How to Give a Great Speech

As a former owner of a National Speakers Bureau, I... Read More

Audience-Friendly Presentation Style Habits in Three Easy Steps

You have presentation style habits that automatically appear when you... Read More

Dump that Overhead Projector!

What is it about overhead projectors that causes us to... Read More

A Discussion about Facilitation Skills

Interview with Julia Apple-Smith, Manager of Employee Development at Sauer-Danfoss... Read More

Don?t Give Presentations Or Speeches - Give Leadership Talks Instead

The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More

Just Say No to PowerPoint: Enough is Enough!

Have you ever been slideswiped? You walk into a meeting... Read More

Choosing the Right Work Shirts for Your Small Business

Company attire says a lot about your business philosophy to... Read More

How to Make Good Use of Your Web Conference Session

Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More

1,000,001 Reasons To Connect With Your Audience

Eye contact is mandatory when giving a public presentation.The goal... Read More

Shamus Browns Top 5 Sales Presentation Tips

When its time to give your next sales presentation, here... Read More

Data Visualization Flash Charts: Information in a Flash

Flash chart, flash map, flash graph may be mistaken for... Read More

Ancient PowerPoint Secrets: Ask Your Grandma!

Yes, there are ancient PowerPoint secrets...secrets your grandmother knows and... Read More

Is Now Really the Time to Hire a Professional Speaker?

Since the events of September 11th and the economy slipping... Read More

How to Chair a Meeting

You don't have to be on a stage to be... Read More

Grand Opening: The Key To Great Presentations

Whether you are speaking in front of a civic group... Read More

Preparation for Your Presentations

(Excerpted From the Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event)Persistence in your... Read More

Four Different Ways People Process Your Information

There are four different ways that audience members assimilate information.... Read More

How to Prevent Presentation and Speaking Disasters

I just got back from my whirlwind speaking engagements and... Read More

8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills

8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More

How To Run Your Greatest Conference Ever

Like most good achievements, a magnificent meeting depends on planning... Read More

Is This Thing On?: Keeping Your Audiences Attention

First and foremost, you must deal effectively with your own... Read More

Creating Your Presentation Success With a Positive ?I CAN? Attitude

According to the Lamalle Report on Top Executives of the... Read More

Close Deals in Record Time!

Remember back when the ability to create a slide show... Read More

Super Preparation ? Keys to Getting a Great Start to Every Presentation

Super Preparation ?Keys to Getting a Great Start to Every... Read More

Choosing a Company Shirt vendor

Where can you choose a company shirt vendor? There are... Read More

Tech Tips: PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint Slide Shows

Whether you use a mouse or a remote control to... Read More

Wow! Is That ME? - Creating a Powerful One-Page Bio

First of all, what is a bio sheet and why... Read More

Be Bold, Branded, and Bespoke - Your Customers Want You to Choose

I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More

10 Tips For Bringing Your Event To Life

Your job as an event planner doesn't stop with the... Read More

Networking: How to Network Within Your Organisation

Although there are any number of different networking groups and... Read More

How to Convert PowerPoint to Flash Manually

Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More

Conducting Successful Training Activities

Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More

Practice Makes Perfect ? 7 Tips for Making the Most of Your Presentation Practice

Believe it or not, preparation is a better determinant of... Read More