Beware of Individual Color Idiosyncrasies

Colors of high value or chroma "bleed" into surrounding regions. The result is a blurring of edges (see "negative" button below)—a significant problem with the legibility of brightly colored type. This blurring is especially pronounced when transmitted red light is involved. When adjacent colors are of low value, whatever the relative hues, the result is a "washing" in which colors become indistinguishable. On the other hand, adjacent colors of contrasting value or hue show greater visual distance between them. One color "advances" out of the screen while the other "recedes" (see "positive" button below). This can be used to increase the legibility of colored type on a suitably contrasting background.