Adding color is one of the easiest ways to make your designs stand out. Whether you’re working with shapes, backgrounds, icons, text, or illustrations, Adobe Express provides several tools that allow you to quickly fill elements with colors that match your style or brand.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fill color in Adobe Express and customize your designs for a more professional appearance.
What Does “Fill Color” Mean?
A fill color is the color applied inside an object.
Examples include:
- The background color of a design
- The inside of a shape
- Text colors
- Icons and illustrations
- Design elements and graphics
Changing fill colors can dramatically alter the look and feel of a project.
How to Fill a Shape with Color
One of the most common uses of color fill is applying color to shapes.
Step 1: Open Your Project
Launch Adobe Express and open an existing project or create a new one.
Step 2: Insert a Shape
Select:
Elements → Shapes
Choose a shape such as:
- Rectangle
- Circle
- Triangle
- Square
- Arrow
Place the shape on your canvas.
Step 3: Select the Shape
Click the shape to reveal its editing options.
Step 4: Open the Color Panel
A color option will appear in the editing toolbar.
Click the color box.
Step 5: Choose a Fill Color
You can:
- Select a preset color
- Use a brand color
- Enter a Hex color code
- Use the color picker tool (if available)
The shape instantly updates with the selected fill color.
How to Fill a Background with Color
Changing the background color is another common design task.
Step 1: Select the Background
Click an empty area of the canvas.
Adobe Express will display background editing options.
Step 2: Choose Background Color
Select:
Background Color
Step 3: Pick Your Color
Choose from:
- Solid colors
- Brand colors
- Theme colors
- Custom Hex values
Your entire canvas background updates immediately.
How to Fill Text with Color
Text color is technically another type of fill color.
Step 1: Select the Text
Click the text box you want to edit.
Step 2: Open Text Color Settings
Click the color option in the text toolbar.
Step 3: Choose a New Color
Select:
- Preset colors
- Brand colors
- Custom Hex values
Your text instantly changes color.
How to Fill Icons and Graphics with Color
Many Adobe Express icons and vector graphics can be recolored.
Step 1: Select the Graphic
Click the icon or illustration.
Step 2: Open Color Controls
If the graphic supports editing, color options will appear.
Step 3: Apply New Colors
Choose the desired color for each editable area.
Some graphics allow:
- Single-color fills
- Multi-color fills
- Gradient fills
The available options depend on the graphic.
How to Fill Objects Using Hex Color Codes
For precise color matching, use Hex codes.
Examples:
- #FF0000 (Red)
- #0000FF (Blue)
- #00AA55 (Green)
Steps
- Select the object.
- Open the color panel.
- Enter the Hex value.
- Press Enter.
Adobe Express applies the exact color.
This is especially useful for branding projects.
How to Use Brand Colors
If you use Adobe Express Brand Kits:
Step 1: Open Brand Kit
Navigate to:
Brands → Brand Kit
Step 2: Save Your Colors
Add your organization’s:
- Primary colors
- Secondary colors
- Accent colors
Step 3: Apply Brand Colors
When editing any element, your saved colors will appear automatically.
This helps maintain consistency across all designs.
Can You Use Gradient Fills?
In some Adobe Express projects, gradients may be available.
Gradients blend two or more colors together.
Common examples include:
- Blue to purple
- Orange to pink
- Black to transparent
Gradients are popular for:
- Social media graphics
- Website banners
- Marketing visuals
- Presentation slides
Availability may vary depending on the element being edited.
Tips for Better Color Choices
Use High Contrast
Good contrast improves readability.
Examples:
✓ White text on dark blue
✓ Black text on light gray
✗ Light gray text on white
Limit Your Color Palette
Most professional designs use:
- 2–4 primary colors
- 1 accent color
Too many colors can appear cluttered.
Match Your Brand
Businesses should consistently use their brand colors.
This improves recognition and professionalism.
Test on Multiple Devices
Colors can appear slightly different on:
- Phones
- Tablets
- Monitors
Preview your design before publishing.
Common Fill Color Mistakes
Using Too Many Bright Colors
Excessive color can distract from your message.
Ignoring Accessibility
Poor contrast makes content difficult to read.
Inconsistent Branding
Using different shades across designs can weaken brand identity.
Overusing Gradients
Gradients work best as accents rather than everywhere.
Final Thoughts
Filling colors in Adobe Express is simple and flexible. Whether you’re coloring shapes, backgrounds, text, icons, or graphics, Adobe Express offers multiple ways to customize your designs and match your brand.
By using solid colors, custom Hex values, Brand Kits, and gradients where appropriate, you can create visually appealing designs that look polished and professional across all platforms.
