How many colors should a logo have for cost-effective printing?

Two or three colors is the sweet spot for a logo that prints well without inflating your costs. Every additional ink color can add setup and press time, so a tighter palette keeps unit prices down, especially on specialty items like envelopes and stamps.

• Aim for two or three core colors so the mark reproduces cleanly across every product type.
• Specify Pantone (PMS) values for each color so the result stays consistent no matter which press or vendor runs it.
• Fewer inks make spot-color and one-color reproductions far cheaper on stamps, envelopes, and promotional pieces.
• Design a one-color or black-and-white version of the logo too, so it holds up in faxes, engraving, and low-cost jobs.