Using Color on Your Publisher 2000 Web Site 

One advantage that the Web offers over print is that you get as much color as you want "for free." You may be tempted to use all the color you can. Instead, think of color as a tool to enhance and clarify your site's message. Keep the following guidelines in mind when planning your use of color.

Background  Think of your background as a watermark effect. Keep the background color, textures, or patterns subtle so that the reader's eye is drawn to the content of the Web page, not what's behind it.

Text  Fuchsia text on a teal background may appeal to some people, but it's difficult to read. Choose a text color that contrasts with the background, rather than blends in or competes with it.

Hyperlinks  Choose a color for your hyperlinks (see Making the Most of Hyperlinks in Publisher 2000) that stands out, and use that color only for hyperlinks. Be sure that the color also contrasts with the background.

Visited hyperlinks  After a hyperlink has been clicked, the color of the text usually changes. Choose a color for visited hyperlinks that is distinct from unused hyperlinks, other text, and the background.

Graphics  Choose graphics (see Using Graphics on Your Publisher 2000 Web Site) with colors that coordinate well with the overall color choices you've made for your Web site. Your graphics will enhance the pages visually without overpowering them.

Color scheme  In Publisher, you can save the group of colors that you chose for your Web site as a color scheme. Your custom color scheme is saved with the publication, and is also available in the Quick Publication Wizard for use in other publications.

To create a custom color scheme

1. With your Web site open in Publisher, click Color Scheme on the Format menu.
2. Click the Custom tab.
3. Click the arrow under New for each color to be changed and then click the color or type of color you want.
4. Click More Colors to see more color choices, and then choose the options you want.
   -Or-
   Click Fill Effects to use a shade or tint, and then choose the options you want.
5. Click OK to apply your custom color scheme.
   -Or-
   Click Save Scheme and type a name for your color scheme, and then click OK twice.
6. All objects on your Web site that were filled with scheme colors are now filled with the colors in your custom color scheme.

Your custom color scheme is now available and listed alphabetically in the Available schemes box on the Standard tab of the Color Scheme dialog box. The set of scheme colors for your custom color scheme also appears under Scheme Colors when you click Fill Color on the Formatting toolbar.

Use Color Thoughtfully

Garish use of color on a Web site can distract readers and even cause them to leave your site. Following the guidelines above helps unify the look of your site and draw readers in. The result will be a positive experience for your audience.

For More Information

To view more information about using color on your Web site with Publisher, click Microsoft Publisher Help on the Help menu in Publisher, and then type Web page color or color scheme in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab.

See Also

Your Publisher 2000 Web Site: An Overview

Planning Your Publisher 2000 Web Site

Structuring Your Publisher 2000 Web Site

Creating Your Publisher 2000 Web Site

Creating Thumbnail Graphics on Your Publisher 2000 Web Site

Publishing Your Publisher 2000 Web Site