Start with roles, not a collection of attractive swatches
Choose a background, a readable text colour, a primary action colour and a small set of supporting roles. Define where each belongs before generating more variations. A palette that works for a social graphic may not provide enough contrast for small website text. Test the colours in a real card, button and form rather than reviewing swatches alone.
Keep the surface calm and the hierarchy clear
Large saturated backgrounds can make a page tiring to scan. Use neutral or softly tinted surfaces where reading is the main task, and reserve stronger colour for purposeful emphasis. Repetition helps: buttons with the same purpose should normally share a visual treatment. Do not use a different bright accent for every section simply because the generator offers it.
Check contrast across the entire gradient
Text can be readable at one end of a gradient and disappear at the other. Test the actual background under the text, including intermediate colours and any image overlays. Small text and large text have different contrast requirements in accessibility guidance. Colour must not be the only way to communicate an error, selection or success state; include labels or another visible signal.
Choose a linear or radial structure intentionally
Linear gradients work well for a directional transition across a surface. Radial gradients can create a soft focal area, but a bright centre behind a heading may reduce readability. Keep the number of colour stops manageable and place them intentionally. Moving a stop or reversing the colours can change the perceived balance without requiring a completely new palette.
Use CSS and fallback colours appropriately
For a website surface, a CSS gradient can avoid downloading a large decorative bitmap. Provide a background colour that remains acceptable if the gradient is not displayed. Use exported images when the destination requires a raster file, such as a social post. Check the actual crop and dimensions on the destination instead of assuming the website composition will transfer unchanged.
Test states and motion
Check links, keyboard focus, disabled buttons and error messages against the palette. If a gradient animates, keep the motion restrained and respect reduced-motion preferences. A static fallback should still communicate the brand. Preview on a phone as well as a desktop because brightness, screen calibration and surrounding light change perceived colour.
Build a small reusable reference
Save the chosen hex values with a note about each colour’s role. Keep a CSS example and a screenshot of real interface components so later pages remain consistent. Our palette and gradient tool helps explore combinations and copy CSS, but it does not certify accessibility. Review contrast and meaning in the final interface before publishing.
Related tools and next steps
Technical reference: Read the supporting documentation.
For help applying these decisions to a project, contact WebHolick.