Pantone

What is Pantone?

We've all probably heard the term Pantone before, but what exactly is Pantone? And why does it play such a crucial role in the printing industry? Pantone is a colour system that is very widely used in the graphics and printing industries. It was introduced in 1963 and consists of an extensive range of standardised colours, each of which has a unique number and designation and can therefore be assigned at any time. The Pantone colour system is particularly useful when it comes to specifying colours for printing, as it ensures colours are consistent across different printers and printing processes. Since each Pantone colour has its own number, information about a specific colour can also be exchanged internationally.

What is a Pantone value?

The Pantone colour system consists of 14 basic colours. Mixed with a large number of different colour components, these represent the other colours of the Pantone system. This creates an infinite number of possible colours. So that these can be clearly assigned, each colour contains a unique number and different digits that represent the colour. The letter C, U or M is usually found after the numbers. These letters represent the type of paper on which the colours are to be printed. These are: gloss coated (C = coated), uncoated (U = uncoated) and matt coated (M = matte). Even if the same ink recipe is used for printing, the appearance of a colour can differ depending on the type of paper or material.

What is the difference between CMYK, RGB and Pantone?

Various colour systems have been established in the printing industry so that colours can be defined precisely. Each system has its own characteristics and is used for specific purposes:

• CMYK: CMYK is probably what you hear most often. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black). The colour system is based on the idea that almost any colour can be created by combining cyan, magenta and yellow. The CMYK colour system is primarily used to reproduce images and text on magazines, cataloguess, brochures and flyers. In addition, the colour codes are also used in the production of packaging, labels and advertising posters.
• RGB: RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue. It is a colour system primarily used in digital applications such as computer screens, televisions, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
• Pantone: Used primarily in the printing industry, Pantone offers a wide range of colours specially formulated to be accurately reproduced in print production. Each colour is identified by a specific and unique number that can be used in production to get the most accurate colour accuracy possible.

When exactly do you use Pantone?

The Pantone colour system is particularly helpful in the production of printed items and textiles, so that communication about colour matching is significantly simplified. The desired colour can only be clearly identified when a Pantone value is specified. The colour code eliminates errors caused by subjective colour perception, such as on computer screens or smartphones. In addition to the textile industry, the Pantone colour system is primarily used in the printing and graphics industry. The specification of a Pantone colour always depends on the printing technique used. A matching system is not always required. In the case of textile printing, for example, the Pantone colour codes are primarily used in screen printing. The reason for this is that screen printing can achieve extremely high colour accuracy. This is particularly important for companies when it comes to logo printing and the promotional product world.

When are Pantone colour codes used for promotional items?

If you have promotional items printed, you often have to specify at least one Pantone colour when uploading your print file. Only then will the printers know which colouring you want for your print motif. However, this is not the case with all printing techniques. If the finishing involves embroidery, doming, engraving, 4C digital printing, transfer printing or sublimation printing, no colour code is required. Uploading your print file is sufficient here, as exact colour matching is not possible with these printing techniques. Depending on the printing technique, several colours can also be used for printing. With the help of our Pantone colour finder you can find any colour and have your desired colour converted into different colour codes.