Top of Page Colors Use The Browser Safe Color Palette GIF files are 8 bit images meaning they are limited to 256 colors. The actual palette that can be used is limited to 216 colors because of the differences in Macintosh and PC palettes. It is imperative that GIF images and pages that employ background and text colors be checked on PC and Macintosh monitors. When using a background image or background color, choose a background that does not interfere with the text or other information on the page. Too often on the Web, background images of logos or watermarks are used that make The publishing industry has used black type on white paper for hundreds of years not just out of a sense of tradition but because it is easier on the eyes for reading.
Lighter colors are generally better for the background while darker colors are preferred for text.
Consider the needs of color-blind users in choosing colors. Choosing different colors for text can have a possibly detrimental effect on readability. The colors chosen should contrast sufficiently with the background to be clearly visible. Make sure that link colors are clearly distinguishable from the regular text color.