Branding
March 05, 2026
• 3 min read
Why You Should Never Use True Black in Design
Here is a secret that separates the pros from the amateurs: True black (#000000) almost never exists in the real world.
The Problem with #000000
True black on a digital screen absorbs all light. When placed next to bright white, it creates a stark, vibrating contrast that causes eye strain for the user.
The Solution: Rich Black
Instead of #000, use a very dark gray (like #1A1A1A) or a dark gray tinted with your brand's primary color (e.g., a very dark navy #0A1128). This reduces eye strain and makes the design feel much softer and more premium.
Conclusion
Reserve true black for OLED optimization on purely black backgrounds, but for text and UI elements, always lift the black slightly.
