You can create an amazing TPT resource, but if teachers can’t easily read your cover when they’re scrolling through search results, they may never click on it.
I’ve talked before about TPT cover images and what you should include to help your products stand out, but there’s one small design detail I see TPT sellers get wrong all the time: color contrast.
The good news? This is usually a really easy fix.
Why Color Contrast Matters on Teachers Pay Teachers
Your cover has a very short amount of time to grab a buyer’s attention. If your text blends into the background or teachers have to work to figure out what your cover says, they’re much more likely to keep scrolling.
One of my favorite ways to test this is simple: create a few versions of your cover, step away from your computer, and look at them again. Which one immediately catches your eye? Which one can you read the fastest?
Sometimes the best option isn’t necessarily the prettiest color combination. It’s the one that makes the information on your cover easiest to see.
Use a Contrast Checker to Check Your TPT Covers
If you’re not sure whether two colors work well together, you can use a contrast checker to help.
In the episode, I demonstrate the Coolors Contrast Checker, which allows you to enter your background and text colors and see how much contrast there is between them. It can also suggest adjustments when your colors aren’t working well together.
I don’t agree with every score it gives me, so I wouldn’t treat it as a hard-and-fast rule. Use it as a tool, then look at your cover yourself and see if it stops the scroll.
When in Doubt, Keep Your Text Simple
You don’t need to use every brand color in every part of your TPT cover.
In fact, I tend to stick with black or white text whenever possible. Use your brand colors for backgrounds and other design elements, then choose whichever text gives you the strongest contrast.
A good starting point is simple: dark background = white text; light background = black text.
You can still have beautiful, branded TPT covers without sacrificing readability.
Take Another Look at Your TPT Covers
Pull up a few of your existing product covers today and look at them with fresh eyes. Are they easy to read? Does the text stand out? Would they catch your attention if you were scrolling through TPT?
Small changes to your colors can make a surprisingly big difference.
And if you want more help improving your TPT products and store, that’s something we work on extensively inside Teacher Resource Academy. My team and I regularly review members’ covers and help them improve everything from colors and fonts to the overall presentation of their products.
You can start with my free TPT training to learn more about building and growing your TPT store – and you’ll also get access to a 50% discount on Teacher Resource Academy!
