One of the best parts of designing a custom plate is choosing the colours. With 25 base and text colour options, the combinations are almost endless. Here are some of our favourites to get you started.
Classic Combos
These timeless pairings never miss:
- Charcoal base + Ivory White text - clean, sharp, works everywhere
- Dark Blue base + Ivory White text - the VIC plate look
This is the classic VIC plate look - read more about what each state's colours mean in our Australian number plate colours guide.
- Ivory White base + Charcoal text - minimal and modern
- Scarlet Red base + Ivory White text - bold and eye-catching
Bold & Fun
For plates that are meant to stand out:
- Lemon Yellow base + Dark Blue text - energetic, sporty
- Grass Green base + Ivory White text - fresh and distinctive
- Marine Blue base + Mandarin Orange text - complementary colours that pop
- Sakura Pink base + Charcoal text - soft but modern
Subtle & Refined
For a more understated look:
- Nardo Gray base + Ivory White text - sleek, automotive feel
- Dark Chocolate base + Desert Tan text - warm, earthy tones
- Dark Green base + Bone White text - heritage, classic feel
- Ash Gray base + Dark Blue text - muted and professional
Matching Your Space
Think about where the plate will live:
- Car dashboard - match or complement the interior trim. Dark bases tend to blend naturally.
- Shed or garage - go bold. These are feature pieces, not wallpaper.
For more shed and garage styling ideas, check out our man cave guide.
- Desk or shelf - subtle tones work well in offices and living spaces.
- Kid's room - bright, fun colours. Pink, green, yellow, orange all work.
Colours That Don't Work
A few honest notes:
- Low contrast combos (e.g. Bone White text on Desert Tan base) can be hard to read. They look subtle, but the text gets lost.
- Very similar hues (e.g. Sky Blue on Ice Blue) blend together and lose definition.
- Keep at least a few steps of contrast between your base and text colours for best results.
Try It Yourself
Jump into the plate configurator and start experimenting. The live 3D preview updates in real time as you pick colours, so you'll know exactly what you're getting.
Not sure what size works best? Our size guide helps you pick.