Summer may be drawing to a close and autumn may be just around the corner, but don’t despair! The changing of the seasons doesn’t need to be a harbinger of cold, unpleasant weather to come. A new season means a new wardrobe, new projects, and new color palettes to experiment with in your graphic designs and paper crafts.

Pantone’s Autumn Color Report predicts the trendiest colors for the coming season. This season’s hues are strongly inspired by nature, as earthy colors combine with retro throwbacks to create a diverse mix of subdued neutrals and bright, punchy accents that are perfect for any home crafter or professional designer. Combine colors to focus your reader’s attention on your focal point, or incorporate contrasting tones to add depth and visual interest to your designs.

Let’s dig in to Pantone’s ten autumn colors.

Dried Herb

Dried herb is a subdued olive green. It makes a beautiful neutral backdrop for punchier colors, but its almost military-inspired, earthy tones are classic and perfect for any project.

Add some flavor to your designs with these papers and paper products:

Desert Sage

Desert sage is another cool neutral. It’s greenish gray tones are quiet and soothing, but colorful enough to create an interesting backdrop for any design or craft.

Cool off with these Desert Sage paper suggestions:

Stormy Weather

Stormy Weather is a strong, powerful blue gray. It’s dark tones imply quality and luxury, and it’s only a short step away from a neutral hue, so it adds a little bit of color without being too bold.

Here are some great papers to help you weather the storm:

Oak Buff

Oak Buff is a warm, comforting shade. Just picture the sun peeking out from behind the clouds after stormy weather (pun intended). It’s golden yellow tones are happy and bright, but Oak Buff is still neutral enough to comfortably pair with many other colors.

Kraft Paper is an excellent all-purpose paper. It pulls out the brown tones of Oak Buff. Try these suggestions:

If you’re looking for something a little warmer than Kraft Paper, try these golden recommendations:

Marsala

Marsala is Pantone’s color of the year, so it’s no surprise to see it pop up on their Autumn Color Report. Marsala is rich, robust, and warm, and its earthiness is perfectly in line with this season’s nature-inspired hues.

Get on board with the biggest color trend of the year with these papers:

Biscay Bay

Biscay Bay is a lush, tropical teal. It’s brighter and punchier than the other natural, neutral tones in Pantone’s Autumn Color Report, and it’s the perfect tone for moving into the cooler days of fall – just take a look at Biscay Bay, and feel yourself being whisked back to those sunny days on the beach.

Step into the warm waters of Biscay Bay:

Reflecting Pond

Reflecting pond is deeper and cooler than Biscay Bay, but it’s still warm enough to recall those summer memories during the cooler months of autumn. It’s depth conveys a seriousness that will benefit any design or paper craft.

Take some time to reflect on these paper recommendations:

Cadmium Orange

Cadmium Orange is one of this autumn’s coolest retro throwbacks. It’s fun and optimistic without being overbearing, and it’s warm and subtle drama are perfect for adding bright contrast to your designs.

These papers will add a ray of sunshine to your designs and paper crafts:

Cashmere Rose

Cashmere Rose is another retro throwback. It’s a soft and gentle pink, but it’s bright enough to add a sense of fun and whimsy without overwhelming the eye – or being too cotton-candy.

Try one of these papers:

Amethyst Orchid

Amethyst Orchid is vibrant and a little sensual. It’s a bold purple hue that conveys a sense of power and richness without being obnoxious or pretentious.

Add some luxury to your designs and paper crafts with these papers:

Autumn is Coming

This autumn’s hues are heavily inspired by nature and earth tones, but there are enough bright colors, like Biscay Bay and Cadmium Orange, to add a much-needed pop of color to any graphic design or paper craft project. Any of these colors will make a stunning backdrop – even the bright ones – for any message.

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Sources

Alex. “Pantone 2015 Fall Fashion Report.” iWork3.