{"id":72813,"date":"2023-12-08T04:26:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T17:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=38233"},"modified":"2025-11-11T18:57:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T07:57:16","slug":"what-is-a-pantone-color-guide-and-what-is-it-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/what-is-a-pantone-color-guide-and-what-is-it-for","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Pantone Color Guide, and What Is It For?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss Pantone\u2019s means of ensuring that colors are reproduced accurately<\/a>\u2014and we’ll talk about whether you need it for your current project and how you can use it. We\u2019ll also take a look at the Pantone Color of the Year, a fun annual color selection to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pantone
Pantone colors (image source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is Pantone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pantone<\/a> is an American company that is largely known for the Pantone Color Matching System (or PMS). It originated in the 1960s, founded by Lawrence Herbert, who was involved with a printing company. Pantone came from the need for standardized color matching\u2014and that\u2019s exactly what it’s about, even today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a moment to discuss what a standardized color matching system means. Pantone Color Matching allows you to reproduce and match colors with precision, even across different printers and situations. So let\u2019s say your branding uses the color orange. Well, \u201corange\u201d could be many different shades of orange. You could have a light orange, a dark orange, a more saturated orange, or an orange that leans more into yellow. Think about how much variety you could have, simply with the color \u201corange\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Different
Different Pantone colors (image source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, when you choose a specific orange using the Pantone Color Matching System, you know what orange you\u2019re getting\u2014the exact shade, hue, everything\u2014and it\u2019s not going to vary. You\u2019re going to get an exact color match. That\u2019s why this is a graphic design essential. It gives designers a set of standardized colors to use as a guide, and each color is identified with a unique Pantone number. The system helps ensure consistency across the production of your printed projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Pantone Color Matching System Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Pantone Color Matching System has a couple of components you should know. First, the colors all have a unique identification number. And second, the colors come in both solid and process colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solid Colors<\/strong> are going to give you the highest degree of color precision and accuracy. This would be a great choice when you absolutely want the exact color, e.g. for branding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Process colors<\/strong> are best reserved for situations where color accuracy isn\u2019t as strict, and they are typically composed of a limited number of inks (for example, CMYK would be 4-process colors). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also see either \u201cC\u201d or \u201cU\u201d by a Pantone Color. For example, let\u2019s check out Pantone 6126 C, a lovely shade similar to cerulean blue<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pantone
Pantone 6126 C (image source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That \u201cC\u201d stands for Coated, and the \u201cU\u201d stands for \u201cUncoated\u201d. In printing, coated paper has a finish that affects the quality of your print. Think about something like a magazine\u2014it has a glossy, finished feel. Uncoated paper, on the other hand, has a different finish and tends to yield a less sharp print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when you tell a printer you want to use Pantone 6126, that color is created using set inks to create that exact color\u2014those proportions are precise and achieve the desired shade. Because these inks are standardized, it\u2019s going to ensure consistency in color reproduction across all kinds of different printing processes and materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Pantone Colors Are There Exactly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, if you\u2019re thinking about color, you might be wondering: how in the world can you give a number to how many colors there are? How many Pantone Colors are there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pantone
Pantone chart 101 (image source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are currently 2,390 Pantone Colors as of 2023\u2014however, that will likely change in 2024, as 224 new PMS colors were released in 2023.  The human eye can see millions of colors, though, so clearly this isn\u2019t every possible color out there. We continue to see Pantone Colors expand and include more colors. It\u2019s difficult to say that over 2,000 colors isn\u2019t a hefty amount! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Use a Pantone Color Guide?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So you\u2019ve decided you want to try using Pantone Color Matching in your work. Where do you start? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the Pantone Color Matching System for printed projects, you\u2019ll need one of their guides. You can buy color guides directly from Pantone, so you can page through them and choose the exact color you want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Greens
Greens Pantone (image source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition, you can sign up for Pantone Connect, their digital offering, which can show you additional information, like Hex to Pantone and CMYK to Pantone matching. It\u2019s very convenient, but keep in mind that none of these resources are free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Pantone Colors For? How Important Is Color Matching?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So what are Pantone Colors for? What kinds of projects use them, and why? Does it really matter if your colors aren\u2019t an exact match? The answers very much depend on the nature of your project and what you\u2019re trying to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Variety
Variety of Pantone colors (image source<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Graphic Designers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Precise color selection is often an essential part of graphic design, especially with content like logo design and branding. Think, for example, about a logo where the key colors aren\u2019t accurate\u2014yikes! With clearly defined color matching, you\u2019ll know your brand\u2019s colors are exactly as intended, every time. Designers can use Pantone colors to ensure that consistency is accurately captured in their printed projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Printers and the Printing Industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, this is essential for printers too. The printing industry can rely on Pantone colors to achieve consistent, high-quality results\u2014and you can rely on those specific Pantone numbers to correctly mix just the right color, with no room for error. You want the final printed project to match what the designer had in mind, and this system of color matching gives both parties just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: read the ultimate guide to the different printing methods<\/a> to learn more about this industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fashion Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are Pantone Color Guides for apparel and fabrics too! Think about it\u2014you want your fashion design project to be just the right color. Remember, if you\u2019re looking for \u201corange\u201d, that can mean a lot of different shades and hues of orange. You wouldn\u2019t want to make a major decision about manufacturing a clothing piece based on a color as displayed on a computer screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even More Industries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Other industries benefit from color matching too, like interior design, paints, packaging, and more. If you\u2019re curious about the additional applications of Pantone\u2019s color matching systems, make sure to check out their guidelines<\/a>. There\u2019s plenty more to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A man choosing a color according to the Pantone palette (source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But Do You Always Need Precise Color Matching?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is: No, you don\u2019t always need precise color matching. For example, let\u2019s say you\u2019re printing up some event posters. It\u2019s a short-run job, and while consistency is important, you\u2019re not that concerned about 100% color accuracy. Where does that leave you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n