Ribbon Colors and Quality Guide

Classic Neutrals:

Start with neutrals as they match anything. Black, white, and shades of gray are essential. Consider also adding a range of browns and creams for projects requiring a softer or more natural look.

Neutrals are great for everyday designs. 

Why They are Essential

Neutrals can serve as the backbone of many projects,  providing balance, contrast, or a subtle elegance. They are perfect for grounding  more vibrant colors and can match with any theme. 

Varieties to Consider:

Besides solid black, white, and grays, incorporating  variegated shades like off-white, ivory, taupe, and charcoal can add depth.  Textured neutrals like burlap ribbons can bring a rustic feel to projects. 

Primary Colors

Red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors from which other colors can  be mixed. Having these in your collection allows for a wide range of color combinations and is great for bold, vibrant projects. These colors are great for holidays such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and Summer. 

Creative Uses:

Primary colors are perfect for projects aimed at children,  educational projects, and any design that seeks to be bold and eye-catching.  They can be mixed and matched to create a lively palette. 

Shades and Tints:

Collecting various shades of red, blue, and yellow (from light  to dark) allows for more sophisticated color schemes 

Secondary Colors

Orange, green, and purple are secondary colors, created by mixing  primary colors. These are useful for adding depth and contrasting projects. These colors are great colors for Fall and Halloween designs.

Contrasting Projects:

Using orange, green, and purple can add a vibrant  contrast to your crafts, especially when paired with their complementary  primary color (that is another lesson for the future). 

Seasonal Themes:

These colors are also great for seasonal themes, with green  for spring, orange for autumn, purple for summer and Halloween designs.  

Pastels:

Soft pastels such as baby blue, soft pink, lavender, mint green, and pale yellow  are perfect for spring-themed projects, baby showers, and any craft that calls for a gentle touch of color. Easter, Summer and Mother’s Day projects come to mind for using pastels. 

Soft and Subtle:

Pastel ribbons are perfect for projects that require a soft touch, such as weddings, baby shower decorations, and Easter projects. 

Mixing with Neutrals and Metallics:

Pastels paired with neutrals can create a  sophisticated palette, while combining them with metallics can add a festive or  glamorous touch. 

Metallics:

Gold, silver, and bronze ribbons add a touch of elegance and sparkle to any project. They are perfect for holiday crafts, wedding decorations, and any project that needs a bit of shine. 

Adding Sparkle:

Metallic ribbons can transform a project from simple to luxurious. They are especially useful for holiday decorations, wedding crafts, and any project where a touch of glamour is desired. (Let’s agree that we have a love-hate relationship with glittered ribbons.)

Variety:

Beyond gold, silver, and bronze, look for metallic ribbons in rose gold, metallic blues, greens, and reds for more variety. 

Holiday and Seasonal Colors:

Think about the major holidays and seasons. There are definitely some traditional palettes that you’re probably used to seeing.

Red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter and spring, red/white/blue for patriotic holidays in the U.S., etc.

These can be collected gradually as  each season approaches. 

Planning:

Encourage collecting these colors in anticipation of major crafting holidays. This forward-thinking approach ensures that materials are on hand  when inspiration strikes. 

Versatility:

Many holiday colors can also be repurposed for other projects (e.g.,  red can be used for Valentine’s Day, July 4^th, Memorial Day and Christmas). 

Trendy Colors:

Keep an eye on the color of the year announced by the Pantone Color Institute and other trending colors. Adding these to your collection can keep your projects up to date with current fashion and design trends. 

Staying Current:

Adding trendy colors can make projects more contemporary  and appealing. This can be particularly important for crafts intended for sale or  as gifts. 

Research:

Pay particular attention to fashion, interior design, and follow DecoExchange to stay informed about the latest trends. 

Textures and Patterns:

While focusing on colors, do not forget to include a variety of  textures (grosgrain, velvet, lace) and patterns (polka dots, stripes, floral, plaid) to add interest and dimension to your crafts.  

Enhancing Visual Interest:

Different textures (e.g., grosgrain for ribbed texture,  velvet for softness) can add a tactile dimension to your design, making them  more appealing to your customer. 

Patterns for Personality:

Patterns can convey themes or personal styles. Florals are perfect for romantic or vintage projects, stripes and polka dots for a  playful vibe, and plaids for a classic or cozy look. 

Start Small:

Begin with a few selections from each category and expand as needed based on the types of projects your student is most interested in. 

Quality vs. Quantity:

Invest in high-quality ribbons as they will be easier to work with and  will provide a better finish to the crafts. Wired ribbon is highly suggested for your wreath projects. Look for a wired ribbon that will hold its shape. Of course, DecoExchange is the place to find a wide selection of colors and quality ribbon to fit all your design needs. 

Storage and Organization

Encourage proper storage solutions to keep ribbons organized  and easily accessible, such as spool racks, drawer dividers, or clear storage boxes. By understanding the utility and appeal of each type of ribbon, you can thoughtfully curate  a collection that not only inspires creativity but also supports a wide range of design options.