What are Pantone Colours

Pantone is the standard language of colours. The term comes from the company Pantone Inc, which developed the Pantone system. It’s a standardised colour system that describes the colours using an allocated number.

The formula is a spot colour meaning that it’s created from an 18 colour palette, rather than with a screen or dots.

How Does The Pantone Colour System Work?

The Pantone Matching System standardizes over a thousand different colours and gives them all a number or a name. By using this system people all over the world can reference the same colour by just using the number.

Essentially the system helps manufacturers erase any errors that might be made during production. There are many shades that are similar, but by using the Pantone system manufacturers can be sure that the colour ordered is the colour that they get by using that colours number.

Do You Need To Print Specific Pantone Colours To Make Your Brand Standout?

The short answer is no. It is extremely difficult to get an exact match when printing Pantones. If you need a poster or a bunch of business cards printed the chances of printing an exact match are slim to none.

How Do You Print An Exact Match?

The only way to successfully print an exact Pantone match is by mixing the ink and printing the colour separately. Without printing your Pantone Colours separately you will a colour tolerance. Basically, what this means is that it’ll be close but no cigar.

A great example is TVs on display at an electronics store. They may all have similar colour and resolution but there are small differences. That’s what you will get when printing your colours if you do not mix the ink and print the colour separately.

When Are Colours Ideal For Printing?

When screen printing Pantone colours work great with non-fabric materials. This is why it is hard to match the colours exactly when using textiles. The white textile may work pretty well, but any coloured textile will require an under the base.

Pantone colours work well with screen printing. With screen printing, the colour that you ask for is the colour that you’ll receive. The same cannot be said for digital printing. While it might come close, you most likely won’t get an exact match.

When printing your Pantone colours you’ll receive a code. It’ll either be C or U, which stands for coated or uncoated. With screen printing, there’s a little glare on the ink so using a coating might help your Pantone colour look better. It’s generally recommended to use a coating.

If you plan on using Pantones then you should use a new swatch to ensure that you’re getting accurate results. It isn’t always easy to tell the difference, you should make sure that you’re being accurate.