People's brand sentiments strongly rely on color selection. So, the selection of color for your food product significantly influences customer perception of that product. I provide color selection consultation to food brands for logos, packaging, and store designs. Transactionally speaking, color reaches beyond decorative aesthetics. In this guide, I will explain the food brand color functions and summarize optimal color options specific to various types of food enterprises.

With these insights, you can easily choose the best color for your food brand. With the right business colour schemes, you can improve your branding too.

Understanding Color Psychology in Food Branding

Color shows its power within the first 90 seconds when people look at your product. The choice of color in the food industry plays a more significant role than most people understand. Color stimuli within the environment produce established mental and physical reactions among observers. The emotional and psychological reactions typically occur automatically. Each color has a specific meaning that companies use to deliver their intended commercial message to customers.

Therefore, a restaurant's color palette is always different from other types of brands. As a food brand, you will have to focus on the color psychology that restaurants leverage to attract customers. With the right color choice, you can make it a part of your marketing element, including your custom food packaging.

Here is what each common color means in food branding. You can use this marketing colour wheel to make the best choice of color for your brand.

Red: Creates excitement. It increases appetite. It is a strong color and grabs attention quickly.

Yellow: Feels warm and cheerful. It catches the eye and can make people feel hungry.

Orange: Combines the energy of red and the cheer of yellow. It feels playful and inviting.

Green: Suggests health, nature, and freshness. It is a good choice for organic or plant-based brands.

Brown: Gives a sense of comfort and earthiness. It is often used for chocolate, coffee, or baked goods.

Black: Looks bold and premium. It is often used for luxury or gourmet food products.

White: Feels clean and simple. It pairs well with other colors and adds a touch of balance.

Blue: Rarely used for food, but it can suggest trust and calmness. Some use it in water or health drink brands.

Purple: Feels creative and rich. It can work for unique or upscale products.

For comprehensive guide, you can read the another blog here: Guide to Psychology of Color in Packaging Design.

The Effect of Color on Food Brand Marketing

Brand perception in the food industry heavily depends on color choices in marketing. The chosen color establishes the initial perception that customers develop toward the product. Color becomes the first visible aspect when someone passes through stores or navigates online. Bright or warm color choices will naturally draw their attention. Products displayed in unappealing or incorrect color tones will likely cause customers to continue without purchase. That’s why food brands devote extensive efforts to the selection of their colors for advertising purposes.

Therefore, food brands that are popular in the market design their colors with deliberate strategic planning. McDonald’s uses a combination of red and yellow colors to attract viewers and stimulate hunger. The use of red by Coca-Cola creates an energetic and exciting presentation. Through their use of yellow, Lay’s generates a snacktime-friendly friendly happy ambiance. The fresh appearance and healthy eatery concept of Subway are depicted through their green branding elements. The use of orange by Fanta communicates fun and fruity characteristics. In fact, the food brands deploy colors in their branding to evoke emotions that correspond with their eating establishment concepts.

When colors are used the right way on your personalized cigarette box, they stick in the customer’s mind. People begin to associate certain shades with certain flavors or experiences. Over time, that builds trust and makes the product easier to remember. Good color choices lead to better shelf appeal, stronger branding, and higher chances of customer loyalty.

Best Color for Food Brands

There is no single best color that works for every food brand. The best choice depends on the type of food you sell and who you are selling to. For example, you can create any color for your take out boxes offered by The Box Zilla depending on your restaurant’s color scheme.

If your brand is fast food or snacks, red and yellow are strong choices. They are eye-catching and they make people feel hungry. This is why many global fast-food chains use them.

The selection of green color is ideal for brands involved with healthy living or organic food concepts. Your users will know that your product maintains freshness because it displays this indicator. This color connects consumers to natural elements and a clean eating lifestyle.

The use of brown color will create an effective branding component for brands that focus on creating comforting and warmly-spiced experiences with a homemade touch. The color fits products, including chocolate and coffee, as well as bread.

Black or purple should be your color selection when you focus on exclusive or specialty products. The colors create a look of high-priced sophistication along with rare appeal. But use them carefully. Excessive black color creates an uncomfortable, cold appearance when it lacks proper balance.

Drinks and light items receive a fresh touch from blue and white color combinations, which also create a calming effect. Water, yogurt, and protein shakes frequently use these colors as part of their branding.

Think about your target audience. Customers who are children should see their products designed with either orange or yellow hues. For mature customers seeking quality, choose dark green or burgundy as your color option.