This combination works phenomenally well :)

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Personal Art and Design Portal of Ivan Gulkov
www.ivangdesign.com

While I believe there is research out there, I’m not sure if it specific to signage.

I think you have to take into consideration what kind of material(s) the signage will be, location and lighting (indoor vs. outdoor), will it be paired with additional elements (a poster placed in a plexi sleeve—glare)

David

I think you need to know the source of the idea that white on dark gray is easier to read than black on white. It may be related to text displayed on a display monitor.
There’s a difference between black on white on CRT, on LCD, and in print. Often white backgrounds in computer displays are said to cause eye strain, but I’d guess the effect is not the same, or perhaps not existent, when the white is a flat surface color.

Jason C

oprion, I’m sold!

Those colours have the same affect as three cups of coffee.

-=®=-

“Those colours have the same affect as three cups of coffee.”

Ingested, or spilled? ;)

Cheers!

“Ingested, or spilled? ;)”

...thrown in the eyes, I think.

injested, filterd though kiddnies, then spilled on some blue shag carpet.

A little deductive reasoning suggests to me that the intense contrast of white on black results in “affter images” as the retina tracks across a line of text and has to adjust from receiving light receiving no light. (often described as “dazzle”) ) It seems reasonable that a less extreme adjustment will result in a clearer, more legible image.

Does that seem reasonable?

-=®=-

kiddnies? That’s a new spelling...

(oops)... kidneys

You just Watch it, Patty or I’ll go back and edit :o)

-=®=-

Yeah, Russ. The real spelling is KidsKnees :-)

ChrisL

There was a chart on the wall that time I worked in a sign shop, displaying optimal color combinations for contrast and legibility. Though there is much I forget about the thing, I don’t recall there being a spot showing white on dark gray being superior to white on black (though yellow on black did rank higher). White on gray maybe the subject of more recent research.

I’ll have a look around for some sign construction resources and get back to you.

“the intense contrast of white on black results in “after images”
“Does that seem reasonable?”
If real white and real black were used, perhaps, but the screen does not use a real white, and most type don’t get a real black.
I think, the relatively close work of computer screens does not require the contrast distance viewing demands of its blacks and whites.

Cheers!

real white and real black are mathematical concepts, like straight lines and perfect circles.

My question is about static, non-illuminated signage in artificially illuminated interiors - with non glare surfaces where the colours are as close to what humans normally see as black & white (or grey...) as can be achieved with commercially available products.

-=®=-

In general, light text on dark tends to overwhelm the readability more than dark text on light. The common solution to this problem is to make the former text slightly bolder than the latter. Usually jumping from a regular to bold weight is too much for this purpose, though, so fonts with multiple weight options are more desirable.

As far as interior, non-illuminated signage, a dark shape with light lettering hung on a light colored wall will cause most people to immediately recognize “Hey, there is a sign here”, and if they are seeking an unfamiliar destination they may pause to read it. Black may not necessarily be the best color for the particular interior, but white text on black is perfectly functional.

Insignage the difference ratio to tjhe background that the sign functions in is also important. A sign hung on a crossmember or wire having the sky as a background environment would need a dark background to set itself off from the sky.

ChrisL

> Is there any research on what colour combinations help or hinder legibility?

Tinker, M.A., and Patterson, D.G. (1931). Studies of Typographical Factors Influencing Speed of Reading: VII. Variations in Color of Print and Background,” Journal of Applied Psychology, 15, 471-479.

Abstract: Speed of reading 10 color combinations of print and background and of black on white was determined. Black on white, grass green on white, luster blue on white, and black on yellow provide good legibility. A printed page should show maximum brightness contrast between print and background.