Close
Enter your
text here
Custom swatch in Inkscape

Create Custom Swatches in Inkscape

Create Custom Swatches in Inkscape 1024 601 Nick Saporito

In today’s tutorial I’ll be demonstrating two things — first, how to create a gradient color palette between two different colors where it appears as if it’s a gradient, but it’s really just a series of individual colors. Then, I’ll be demonstrating how to create custom swatches within Inkscape from that same series of colors.

This is something that comes in handy if you’re coloring in a graphic and would like to use a specific theme, like in the following example…

Example of how a custom swatch can be used

Gradient Color Palettes

First, create two squares and color them in with the two different colors you’d like to create your palette from. For this example I’m using yellow and pink, but you can use whichever colors you’d like.

Yellow and pink

Next, we’re going to use the Interpolate extension (Extensions > Generate from path > Interpolate).

The interpolate menu

Set the values as depicted in the above image. Please note that the interpolation steps input reflects how many different colors you’d like in your palette + 2. For this example I’m creating a swatch with 10 colors, so I input 8. The reason for this is because two of those colors are defined by the two squares you’ve already created.

Once applied, a series of objects reflective of your simulated gradient will be generated…

Simulated gradient

Now it’s time to create our custom swatch.

Custom Swatches in Inkscape

To add a color to a swatch, simply select one of the squares, and in the Fill and Stroke panel, click the Swatch button.

The fill and stroke menu

You won’t notice anything happen on your screen, but the color of the selected object will be added to your swatch. Now, go through the rest of the squares and do the same thing.

To view your custom swatch, simply open the Swatches menu by going to View > Swatches.

Custom swatch made in Inkscape

And there’s your newly-created gradient color palette! You can now use those colors to color in objects the same way you would using colors from Inkscape’s stock color menu.

Video Tutorial

For step-by-step instructions with voice narration, please watch the video tutorial below. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, simply leave a comment. As always, thanks for watching!

Disclaimer: this website does not track you, serve ads, or contain affiliate links.

Learn To Master The Software

Gain a complete understanding of your favorite design apps with my comprehensive collection of video courses. Each course grants access to our private community where you can ask questions and get help when needed.
  81 Videos
  11 Modules

The Inkscape Master Class

Tutorials, quizzes and practice exercises for learning every tool & feature in Inkscape.
Price: $17
  77 Videos
  7 Modules

Affinity Designer Master Class

Tutorials, quizzes and practice exercises for learning every tool & feature in Affinity Designer.
Price: $17
  98 Videos
  7 Modules

Illustrator Master Class

Tutorials, quizzes and practice exercises for learning every tool & feature in Illustrator.
Price: $17
  70 Videos
  9 Modules

GIMP Master Class

Learn how to use all of the primary tools and features in the GIMP application.
Price: $17

View All Courses

Nick Saporito

Hi, I'm Nick— a Philadelphia-based graphic designer with over 10 years of experience. Each year millions of users learn how to use design software to express their creativity using my tutorials here and on YouTube.

All stories by: Nick Saporito
You might also like
16 comments

Leave a Reply to Marcelo Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.