How to Change the Sale Price Color to Red in Shopify's Dawn Theme

By Tony Ng.
December 9th, 2024

How to Change the Sale Price Color to Red in Shopify's Dawn Theme

Understanding the Sale Price Display Issue

Changing the color of sale prices on your Shopify store can be an essential task for many online merchants. The Dawn theme, known for its simplicity and minimalistic design, can sometimes leave store owners unsure about how to make specific style changes. One common issue that surfaces is the need to change the sale price color from black to red to make it stand out more prominently to customers.

Why Can’t I Change the Sale Price Color Easily?

This problem usually arises due to the way the stylesheets (CSS) are coded in the Dawn theme. Even though you’ve managed to locate the relevant section in your CSS file, other rules can override your changes if not applied correctly, causing frustration as they don’t reflect the edits you intend.

What Causes Conflicts in CSS Styling?

Specificity Issues: CSS rules have different levels of specificity — more specific rules will override less specific ones, which might happen if previous rules are not precisely overwritten.
Cascading Effects: The "Cascading" in CSS can sometimes result in styling conflicts, especially if there are later rules that conflict with earlier ones.
Browser Caching: Changes may not appear due to cached versions of your site being displayed. Always clear cache or view changes in a private/incognito window.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting the Sale Price Color

To change the sale price color specifically and not affect the pricing of non-sale items, follow the steps below. This guide assumes a basic familiarity with Shopify’s admin and theme settings.

Step 1: Access Your Shopify Theme

Log in to Shopify Admin: Navigate to your Shopify account dashboard.
Go to Online Store: Click on "Themes" in the side menu.
Customization: Find the Dawn theme in your installed themes and click “Customize.”

Step 2: Open Code Editor

Edit Code: After hitting customize, return to the theme page and click on “Actions.” Select “Edit code.”
Find Stylesheets: In the left sidebar, look for “Assets” and open the card-component.css file.

Step 3: Make CSS Modifications

Locate the Sale Price Section: Within card-component.css, find the .card-information > .price section.
Update the Color for Sale Prices Only: Change the rule by adding the following CSS:
```
.price-item.price-item--sale.price-item--last {
   color: rgb(209, 0, 0); /* Red color for sale prices */
}
```
This CSS rule will specifically target only sale prices in the store to be red while keeping regular prices unchanged.

Step 4: Verify Your Changes

Preview Your Site: Exit the code editor and view your store to ensure the sale prices are now displayed in red.
Clear Cache if Necessary: Use a private browser window or clear your browser’s cache to ensure you’re viewing the latest version of your site.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

CSS Not Taking Effect

Ensure Proper Syntax: Double-check for typographical errors in the CSS.
Use Developer Tools: Use browser developer tools (F12) to inspect the elements and confirm the applied styles.

I Changed Global CSS, Not Sale Price

Make sure you did not set the color in the general price class, affecting both regular and sale prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use custom CSS classes instead of modifying existing ones?

Yes, creating a new class and using JavaScript to toggle class names based on conditions is possible, but it involves more advanced coding skills.

Q: Will updating the Dawn theme revert my changes?

Yes, if the theme is updated, custom code changes might be overridden. It's advisable to keep backups of your changes.

By making these modifications, you're enhancing the visibility of discounted products in your store, which can significantly drive consumer attention and potentially increase sales conversions. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned Shopify user, implementing these changes creates a distinct visual cue for your customers, making shopping both intuitive and appealing.