Determining Effective Color Combinations for Enhanced Legibility Presented on Print and Digital Formats

This study explores the impact of different color hue combinations and medium types (print and digital) on reading performance and comprehension. The purpose is to understand how these factors may influence text legibility and to offer practical insights for designers on optimizing visual design in presenting promotional content. Fifty-two participants read texts with various color palettes presented on both print and digital formats. The following color combinations were used in the experiment: achromatic (black on gray), achromatic–chromatic (black on green), and chromatic (purple on green). Reading time and comprehension score were measured to identify any significant differences between these conditions. The results show that the color combinations significantly affected reading time, regardless of the medium type. However, neither color nor medium had a significant effect on text comprehension. The main outcome is that the combination of achromatic text on a chromatic background appeared to be the most effective combination for enhancing the legibility of promotional text. Our findings suggest that graphic designers can choose particular color combinations to optimize reading speed without worrying about negative effects on the comprehension of the texts used in promotional materials across various mediums.