What is Pantone ?
Pantone is a standardized color matching system, utilizing the Pantone numbering system for identifying colors. By standardizing the colors, different manufacturers in different locations can all reference a Pantone numbered color, making sure colors match without direct contact with one another.
The most commonly referenced colors are in the Pantone solids palette. The Pantone Solid palette consists of 1,341 colors, identified by three or four digit numbers, followed by a C or U suffix..
Originally designed for the graphics industry, it was know as the Pantone Matching System, or the 'PMS' system. It's goal was to allow designers to 'color match' specific colors when a design enters production. This system was widely adopted by graphic designers and printing houses and is still used today to specify colors for a wide range of industries.
What does PMS stand for ?
Pantone PMS is actually an acronym for the Pantone Matching System.Today's Pantone Matching System features 1,341 Pantone solid colors, printed on coated adn uncoated papers. Each page contains 7 colors, with ink mixing formulas. The pages also include an RGB icon , indicating colors achievable on-screen, and an CMYK icon 
, indicating colors achievable in CMYK color printing. Colors that bear both the RGB and CMYK icons are ideal choices for designs that will be reproduced using multiple processes.With the Pantone Matching System, you get maximum color consistency from designer-to printer-to ink maker-to client. It is the real strength of the Pantone Matching System. If everyone in the process has a Pantone formula guide, they can look at the same 185 red, and they are all seeing the same color. The designer specifies a color, the printer orders ink in that color, prints using that color, and the client gets exactly what they want. This end to end color control explains why Pantone has become the worldwide standard for color since it's introduction.Software developers have also made it easy for designers to incorporate Pantone solid colors in their design projects. There are some issues, however. The Pantone formula guides are printed using inks and pigments, while computer monitors reproduce the colors using Red Green and Blue light. This issue causes a lot of confusion due to the different appearance of printed Pantone colors and viewed Pantone colors (on a computer monitor). That's why it advisable to only use a Pantone formula guide to specifiy or determine a Pantone solid color.
, indicating colors achievable in CMYK color printing. Colors that bear both the RGB and CMYK icons are ideal choices for designs that will be reproduced using multiple processes.With the Pantone Matching System, you get maximum color consistency from designer-to printer-to ink maker-to client. It is the real strength of the Pantone Matching System. If everyone in the process has a Pantone formula guide, they can look at the same 185 red, and they are all seeing the same color. The designer specifies a color, the printer orders ink in that color, prints using that color, and the client gets exactly what they want. This end to end color control explains why Pantone has become the worldwide standard for color since it's introduction.Software developers have also made it easy for designers to incorporate Pantone solid colors in their design projects. There are some issues, however. The Pantone formula guides are printed using inks and pigments, while computer monitors reproduce the colors using Red Green and Blue light. This issue causes a lot of confusion due to the different appearance of printed Pantone colors and viewed Pantone colors (on a computer monitor). That's why it advisable to only use a Pantone formula guide to specifiy or determine a Pantone solid color.
What is CMYK ?
CMYK refers to four-color process printing, using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black inks. When a client references CMYK, they are referring to the Process palette.
What is SWOP ?
SWOP is an acronym for Specifications Web Offset Publications. These specifications usually refer to web offset four-color printing (Process colors).
What is the difference between Spot and Process color ?
Process colors are created using screens of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, which are used in creating 4 color process images. Over 3,000 Pantone process colors, and their screen values can be found in the Pantone Process guide. Were Spot Colors are created using a print of a Pantone soild color, such as Pantone 185 Red image. If you compare how the same color looks as a spot color vs. a process build color, you can see the colors do not match exactly, which why the Pantone color bridge is a useful tool. The Pantone Color Bridge has all the Pantone solid colors, side by side with the CMYK color build on the right, so you know how Pantone solid colors will look when reproducing in CMYK. As an added bonus you also get RGB and HTML hex codes for web design.
Why can't I view Pantone colors online ?
Color is very subjective, which is why the Pantone Matching System works so well. It takes all the guess work out of color identification. Every computer monitor is different, and most aren't calibrated even weekly. This means that the color depicted on your screen will not be accurate and could be many shades off from what the color actually looks like.
What is the difference between fan guides and chip guides ?
Color is very subjective, which is why the Pantone Matching System works so well. It takes all the guess work out of color identification. Every computer monitor is different, and most aren't calibrated even weekly. This means that the color depicted on your screen will not be accurate and could be many shades off from what the color actually looks like.
What kind of guide do I need ?
That depends on how you need to use it. Pantone offers four different color palettes.
Solids, also known as Spot colors, or PMS colors. The Solid numbers appear as three or four digit numbers and may have a C (coated), or U (uncoated) after the number.
Where do I get Pantone paint ?
Pantone Paints are available at www.pantonepaint.com, by calling (866) MY-COLOR, and at authorized Pantone Paint partners nationwide including Janovic, Ricciardi, Cox Paints and Creative Paint. Prices will vary by store. Paint pricing on Pantone’s Web site will range from $7.00 to $95.00.
You can also take a Pantone color guide to the paint store, and have them read the color on their color computer, which will allow them to match that color in any paint system. This is what most people end up doing.
How do I find out which Process color corresponds to the Solid color I need to match ?
You can try to eye ball match it by comparing your Solids guide to your Process guide and finding a close match, but the system is not designed that way. There are 3,000 Process color variations and only 1,114 Solid color formulas. The Color Bridge guide gives you the 4-color process variation of the Solid color but there is no guide that works backwards to match a Process to a Solids. There are three times as many Process colors as there are Solids.
Does Pantone ever change their color numbers ?
No, which is why the Pantone color matching and identification system works. It is consistent. Once a number has been assigned to a color, it is never changed. Once in awhile Pantone may add or discontinue colors, but they will never change a number on a color.
How often should I replace my guide ?
Pantone recommends replacing the guides once every year or so. The ink on the guides is subject to fading over time. Of course, this depends on the type of usage your guide receives. With heavy usage and exposure to light, yes, once a year is not too often. With lighter usage and not much exposure to light, most customers replace their guides every couple of years.
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