Discover 80s neon color palettes that go together and learn how to use a neon color palette!
Year after year, neon color palettes make an appearance through movies, concerts, and visuals. With the resurgence of films that made an impact in the 2000s, we are about to enter a new era of neon.
In this article, I put together a few neon color palettes for every occasion, from a cyberpunk neon color palette to a soft pastel neon color palette. I'll also provide neon color HEX codes so you can use these awesome combinations. Use these neon color swatches in Photoshop, Illustrator, or any other design software. You'll also find tips on how to use a neon color palette.
If you're looking for outstanding neon color palette inspiration, be sure to check out Envato Elements. Find images and add-ons that can inspire a fluorescent neon color palette to use for your projects. There are plenty of 80s neon color palettes too!
A Brief History of Neon Color Palettes
Neon color palettes are bright colors that glow with intensity. The rare chemical element of neon was discovered by William Ramsey and M.W. Travers in the late 1800s in London. The first neon lamp was created in 1902 by George Claude. His friend suggested using the lamps for advertising signs, and by 1912, a barbershop had one on its storefront. By the 1920s, neon advertising signs were all over the world. Since then, neon colors have been part of trends for many years.
Neon gas produces a red-orange light. While other colors are also often called neon, they use a different gas or different fluorescent gas lighting. Neon colors are visually stunning and loud, and they can be used for capturing attention in busy street environments or for safety equipment. Let's take a look at these inspiring retro neon color palettes!
1. Cyberpunk Neon Rainbow Color Palette
Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction in a futuristic setting. It's also perfect for neon color inspiration. For this cyberpunk neon rainbow color palette, I chose the classic fluorescent colors that are displayed on the inspiration board. Use these neon color HEX codes:
- Purple:
#4634b9 - Orange:
#d76140 - Pink:
#ca34ae - Yellow:
#e5d758 - Green:
#54bea8
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
For this cyberpunk neon rainbow color palette, I chose to get inspired by an image with fluorescent tubes. This is a traditional set of neon colors that go well together. This bright neon color palette has colors that can be found at a techno-style party and electronic music lights. Use these neon color HEX codes for your projects:
- Light Blue:
#60cdef - Green:
#a7f755 - Yellow:
#faeb63 - Orange:
#e6894d - Blue:
#1a429c
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
2. Neon Blue Color Palette
This color palette is focused on different shades of blue and its complementary colors. This neon blue color palette includes three shades of blue: a lighter, medium, and dark color to create evenness. The complementary orange and yellow are great for creating contrast within the neon blue color palette. Try using these neon color HEX codes:
- Yellow:
#fbd439 - Light Blue:
#c9e9ec - Blue 1:
#17457a - Blue 2:
#6aafe3 - Orange:
#eb7323
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
Neon Illuminated Light (No longer available)
3. Neon Pink Color Palette
Neon pink color palettes are great for contemporary club posters and brochures. With these colors, you can create a variety of graphics that will get anyone's attention. This 80s neon color palette is based on purple colors and balanced with a couple of blues. Try using these neon color HEX codes:
- Light Blue:
#49a7ca - Blue:
#335dc4 - Magenta:
#c731c2 - Purple:
#8730c4 - Pink:
#dc90c9
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
If you're looking for more contrast or to create something darker, this neon pink color palette has magenta as a base. The rest of the colors are blue and dark purples, all with a cold hue so that the artwork looks cohesive. This dark neon color palette is great for high-contrast graphics. Use these HEX codes:
- Magenta:
#db3af3 - Light Blue:
#6fe9ed - Dark Purple:
#2b0e4f - Purple:
#7732a6 - Muted Blue:
#58b1cf
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
4. Cyperpunk Neon Green Color Palette
This neon green color palette is not the traditional 80s neon color palette. This green and blue fluorescent neon color palette gives off a cool vibe and can also be used for electronic music posters. The two green shades are more pastel, while the blue shades range from light to dark. Find the hex codes for this dark neon color palette here:
- Light Blue:
#5fd0d0 - Moss Green:
#4b9566 - Light Green:
#9df6c7 - Blue:
#20328b - Bright Blue:
#9bfafc
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
5. Cyberpunk Pastel Neon Color Palette
I created this pastel neon color palette as a good alternative to the usual bright fluorescent neon color palettes. These pastel colors can give off a nice and subtle glow. Like the regular neon colors, this pastel neon color palette can be used over a dark background to get the most out of it. Mix the colors and create a gradient for a classier look. Use the following neon color HEX codes on your designs:
- Salmon:
#ffc3a7 - Light Yellow:
#fdeb8f - Light Purple:
#716cd3 - Light Pink:
#f38aa7 - Light Blue:
#6db5da
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
6. Cyberpunk Retro Neon Color Palette
If you want to go retro, I was inspired by these images and space-age colors. This retro neon color palette is great for illustrations and Photoshop effects. There's a mix of blues, greens, and magenta for contrast. Cyberpunk illustrations and movies are set at night and against dark backgrounds, so these colors will pop for sure! Use these hex codes for this bright neon color palette:
- Light Blue:
#93e8d7 - Magenta:
#e261a1 - Dark Green:
#2b6362 - Aquamarine:
#4facbb - Green:
#a6d34f
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
Here's another retro neon color palette inspired by the advertising from the 60s. Red is a lighter brown, so I included two here. To create a big contrast, I added green, yellow, and blue colors. These colors will pop against the dark red, or create a dark red brick wall. There are plenty of combinations with just five colors. Use the following neon color HEX codes for your projects:
- Red:
#d32828 - Green:
#66e754 - Yellow:
#f1d845 - Light Blue:
#74d1f9 - Dark Red:
#782b34
Here's what you'll need to recreate this palette:
That's It!
Neon color palettes enliven designs and call for attention—they are hard to miss! Setting call-to-action buttons in these colors is another great way to use fluorescent neon color palettes. Print design has used neon color palettes to create contrast against black or white backgrounds. Get experimental and try mixing neon-on-neon color palettes.
In this article, we showed you some 80s neon color palettes that can be used for any project. This is a great way to make a design instantly chic and stylish. Do you have a favorite neon color palette? If you're looking for outstanding neon color palette inspiration, be sure to check out Envato Elements.
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