Other colors that you use should be light or bright colors. Whenever possible black drop shadows should be used on all text. Contrast is another important factor in constructing good color graphics. To have your text give as much impact as possible, a dark background should be used. Light backgrounds and dark text have very specialized uses and should only be used in specific circumstances.
All slides have a dead area around the outside edge.
This is where the mount used to hold the slide firm will slightly cover what you are seeing on your monitor. As programs vary in how they size your working area, it is very difficult to specify how much of your working area will be cut off by the slide mount. This area will be covered by the slide mount. Do NOT put your text or any other important element up against any side. Your background and any background elements, such as lines should run from side to side and top to bottom, completely covering the working area.