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Strategy October 25, 2024

Sherwin-Williams’ ‘Color Capsule of the Year’ Seeks To Create Design Inspiration

The paint brand selected nine colors to make a design lookbook. Print and promo pros can use the palette to help craft colorful solutions for clients.

By  Brendan Menapace

Annually, Pantone selects its Color of the Year – a particular shade the experts believe represents the forthcoming cultural zeitgeist through color.

In the past, Pantone has selected two colors that create a varied depiction of the state of things, but nine colors? No.

However, that’s exactly what paint purveyor Sherwin-Williams just did for its Colors of the Year, which it has dubbed the “2025 Color Capsule of the Year.”

The idea of a “capsule” is all the rage right now, especially in the apparel space, where streetwear brands and designers release small batches of products in well-timed “drops” to spread demand out over time and create scarcity. Many of these capsules even pull in other brands for co-merchandising efforts.

Sure, Sherwin-Williams is creating a color template for interior designers and painters. But it’s also showing how color schemes can work together for applications in the world of print products, apparel, hard-good promotional products, trade show displays and more.

The capsule includes the following colors:

Grounded: An earthy brown

Sunbleached: A light neutral gray

Chartreuse: A loud pop of color amid neutrals

Rain Cloud: A deep bluish-gray reminiscent of a storm rolling in

Clove: A dark brown to pull down the light tones

Malabar: A sandy shade with pink undertones

Bosc Pear: A warm orangey brown (or browny orange)

White Snow: Just a few notches below pure white, with a hint of pink

Mauve Finery: A chic light purple

When looked at as a cohesive unit, the capsule is something that product designers, printers and distributors putting together new items or a collection of goods can use for inspiration.

Washington, Missouri-headquartered The Chest (asi/44830) uses these annual color reports as a guiding force in their promotional products, which include branded kits and print solutions.

“Color can make or break a design,” says Sheila James, marketing manager at The Chest. “It is usually the first thing noticed. A lot of time can be spent using the best color to go with [an item], and when the ‘colors of the year’ come out, that can be a big help in making those decisions.”

The use of neutrals in the Sherwin-Williams capsule was notable, as they can work for a wide range of applications or design styles.

“Together – as a complete palette or in expertly picked pairings – the capsule’s alchemy creates something to be treasured in any style or setting,” Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, said in a press release.