coloring
/ˈkʌlərɪŋ/
CommonThe color grading applied to fan edits or graphics, defining their overall look and mood.
Coloring is a core part of a fan editor's identity. Recognizable coloring styles build reputation. Copying someone's coloring without credit is a serious offense in the community.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | your coloring on this edit is everything. what psd did you use | The viewer loves the visual style and wants the Photoshop file that created it. | tumblr, 2022 |
| 02 | dropping my coloring tomorrow. it's free for everyone | The editor is releasing their color preset for other fans to download and use. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | they literally stole my coloring and didn't even credit me | Another editor used the same color preset without acknowledging its creator. | tumblr, 2021 |
| 04 | her coloring is so recognizable. i can spot her edits instantly | The editor has a distinctive visual style that identifies their work. | x, 2024 |
Use it when
- Describing the visual style or color treatment of a fan edit or graphic.
- Asking someone what tools or settings they used to achieve a particular look.
- Sharing a Photoshop action or Lightroom preset with others for free use.
Do not use it when
- Referring to professional film color grading in a production context.Use “color grading” instead.
Origin and context
The term grew from Tumblr's graphic-making and gif-making communities in the early-to-mid 2010s, where sharing Photoshop actions and PSDs for color grading became standard practice among fan graphic creators.
- First seen
- early-2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/coloringUpdated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0