Color Palette for Scientific Figures
A guide to choosing color palettes for scientific figures. Colorblind-friendly, print-safe, and journal-compliant.
Colorblind-Friendly Palettes
Approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females have some form of color blindness. Red-green is the most common deficiency. Avoid red-green combinations in your figures.
FigureGuild Default
Ink, Amber, Steel, Sand — tested for colorblind accessibility
Viridis
Perceptually uniform, colorblind-safe, works in grayscale
ColorBrewer
Researcher-designed, colorblind-friendly, widely used
Print vs Screen
Screen (RGB)
- ✓ Brighter colors possible
- ✓ Gradients and transparency work well
- ✓ Wide color gamut
- ✗ Colors may shift on different monitors
Print (CMYK)
- ✓ Test in grayscale before submission
- ✓ Avoid light yellows and pinks
- ✓ Use high-contrast combinations
- ✗ CMYK conversion may shift colors
Best Practices
- ✓Use consistent colors for the same conditions across all figures in your paper.
- ✓Test in grayscale before submission. If your figure is unclear in black and white, it needs better contrast.
- ✓Limit to 4–6 colors per figure. Too many colors confuse readers.
- ✓Use colorblind-friendly tools like Coblis or Color Oracle to check your figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best color palette for scientific figures?
The best color palette is colorblind-friendly, distinguishes categories clearly, and works in both print and digital. Avoid red-green combinations (affecting 8% of males). Use viridis, plasma, or colorblind-friendly palettes from ColorBrewer.
Why are red-green palettes bad for scientific figures?
Red-green color blindness (deuteranopia) affects approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females. Red and green are the most commonly confused colors. Using red-green palettes makes your figures inaccessible to a significant portion of your audience.
Should I use the same color palette for all figures?
Yes, consistency across figures in a paper improves readability and professionalism. Use the same palette for the same conditions, groups, or treatments throughout your paper. This helps readers track conditions across panels.
What colors work best for print?
For print, use high-contrast colors that remain distinguishable in grayscale. Dark blue, orange, and green work well. Avoid light colors (yellow, light pink) that disappear when printed in black and white. Test your figure by converting to grayscale.
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