Top 5 Printed Mailing Bag Colour Combinations

Blog originally published: January 2021
Updated: March 2026

Updated for 2026

Choosing the right colour combination for your printed mailing bags is an important part of creating strong, memorable packaging. In 2026, packaging design trends are leaning towards bold contrasts, sustainable tones, and minimalist branding that helps businesses stand out in a crowded e-commerce market.

Matte Black and Electric Neon Green

Matte black with neon green gives mailing bags a bold, modern look. The dark base feels premium, while the neon green highlights logos and branding clearly. This combination is often used by tech brands, gaming companies, and streetwear labels that want packaging with a strong, energetic style.

Kraft Brown and Forest Green

Kraft brown and forest green are strongly linked with sustainable packaging. The earthy tones suggest natural materials and eco-friendly choices. Many organic brands, sustainable fashion companies, and natural skincare businesses use this pairing to reflect their focus on recyclable and environmentally responsible packaging.

Soft Lilac and Cream

Soft lilac and cream create a gentle, elegant look suited to beauty and lifestyle brands. The pastel tones feel fresh and modern without being overpowering. This colour pairing is often used by boutique retailers and subscription box brands to give packaging a soft, stylish appearance.

Navy Blue and Metallic Gold

Navy blue and metallic gold are a well-known selection for premium packaging. The deep blue gives a professional feel, while gold accents provide a touch of luxury. This combination is commonly used for jewellery packaging, luxury fashion items, and other high-end retail products.

Burnt Orange and Charcoal Grey

Burnt orange and charcoal grey create a modern, balanced colour scheme. The orange adds warmth and character, while the grey keeps the design clean and professional. This pairing works well for lifestyle brands, outdoor retailers, and homeware companies wanting distinctive but refined packaging.

From 2021

Here at Printed Mail Bags, we work with 1000's of fantastic designs and colours every year, but some colour combinations are more popular than others. Here we countdown the top 5 printed mailing bag colour combinations:

At Number 5

We have Red, Black and White Mailing Bags

This colour combination stands out from the crowd, universally these are the first colours that humans see as important. Black and white sit as opposites with similar meanings across many different cultures. Red sits as a stark contrast between them and is used to grab our attention as we're taught from a very young age that red means stop, look, pay attention. Mailing bags using this colour combination are hard to miss and shout about the brand they advertise.

At Number 4 

We have Gold and White

This is a classy colour combination, often discreet and sophisticated. Often used by jewellery and high-end fashion brands, this catches the eye and oozes quality. Gold really shines against a white backdrop and can be printed in top-quality metallic ink. Lots of brands are now ordering tissue in the same colour combination to accompany their printed mailing bags.

At Number 3

We have Pink, Black & White

Popular with beauty and fashion brands, we've seen lots of pinks, teamed with black and white in our mailing bag designs flowing through our machines this past year. Pink shows femininity, romance and playfulness, from bright cerise to a gentler dusky pink, this is a colour combination that stands out as a trend not likely to disappear anytime soon.

At Number 2

We have Black and Gold

This elegant combination works for so many brands. Lots of luxury brands feature this simple combination. In gloss or matt, black and gold mailing bags shout of exclusivity, power and success, it's a colour combination that is loved by both retailers and customers alike.

At Number 1

We have black and white

The black and white colour combination can be subtle and understated or it can scream out loud. It can be bold with a large logo and imagery or it can be delicate with simple logos and tag lines, but it always looks great and can often be both economical to print, but daring in design. We still see a number of luxury or aspirational brands use black and white, this combination is always a winner.