What is the Pantone Colour System?
The Pantone Colour System (PMS) is a standardised colour matching system used worldwide to ensure colour consistency across different materials and printing methods. Each colour in the Pantone system is assigned a unique code, allowing designers, manufacturers, and printers to reproduce the exact same shade, no matter where or how it is printed.
Pantone colours are widely used in graphic design, branding, packaging, signage, textiles, and promotional merchandise. The system is especially valuable for businesses that want to maintain a consistent brand identity across various printed and manufactured products.
Pantone vs. CMYK vs. RGB – What’s the Difference?
Understanding different colour systems is crucial for achieving accurate and predictable results in printing and digital design. Here’s how Pantone, CMYK, and RGB differ:
Pantone (PMS) – Precise Colour Matching
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a spot colour system, meaning each colour is pre-mixed using specific ink formulas. Unlike CMYK, which blends different inks during printing, Pantone colours are printed as solid, consistent shades. This makes PMS ideal for logos, branding, and corporate identity materials, where colour accuracy is essential. You can download a PDF Pantone Colour Chart here.
Best for:
✔️ Corporate branding
✔️ Merchandise & promotional products
✔️ Packaging & signage
CMYK – Full-Colour Printing
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) is a four-colour process used in most standard printing. Instead of using pre-mixed inks like Pantone, CMYK blends these four colours in different proportions to create a full spectrum of shades. Because CMYK is a process colour system, slight colour variations can occur due to factors like paper type and printer calibration.
Best for:
✔️ Magazines & brochures
✔️ Full-colour posters
✔️ High-volume commercial printing
RGB – Digital Display Colours
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is used for digital screens, where colours are created using light instead of ink. Because RGB is an additive colour model (mixing light to create colours), it has a much wider range of possible colours than CMYK or Pantone. However, RGB colours cannot always be perfectly replicated in print, making colour conversion necessary when switching between digital and physical materials.
Best for:
✔️ Websites & digital advertising
✔️ Social media graphics
✔️ Mobile & app design
Spot Colour Printing vs. Four-Colour Process Printing
When working with Pantone colours, it’s important to understand spot colour printing and four-colour process printing—two different techniques used in commercial printing.
Spot Colour Printing (Pantone Colours)
Spot colour printing uses pre-mixed inks to produce solid, consistent colours. Instead of blending inks during printing, each colour is applied separately.
Advantages:
✅ Perfect colour accuracy
✅ More vibrant and opaque colours
✅ Ideal for logos and brand colours
Limitations:
❌ Limited to a set number of colours per print job
❌ Less suitable for full-colour images and gradients
Four-Colour Process Printing (CMYK)
Four-colour process printing uses CMYK inks that are layered in tiny dots to create a full-colour image. This method is ideal for photographic printing but can introduce slight colour variations due to how the inks mix.
Advantages:
✅ Ideal for full-colour and gradient printing
✅ Cost-effective for high-volume printing
Limitations:
❌ Less precise colour matching compared to Pantone
❌ Colours can shift depending on paper type and printer calibration
For branding consistency, many companies use spot colours for their logos and CMYK printing for images or promotional materials.
Coated vs. Uncoated Stock – How It Affects Colour
The type of paper or material used in printing plays a significant role in how colours appear. The Pantone system accounts for this by offering coated (C) and uncoated (U) versions of its colours.
Coated Stock (C)
Coated paper has a smooth, glossy, or matte finish that helps ink sit on the surface rather than being absorbed. This results in richer, more vibrant colours and sharper details.
Common Uses:
✔️ Business cards & brochures
✔️ Packaging & labels
✔️ High-end promotional materials
Uncoated Stock (U)
Uncoated paper is more porous and absorbent, which can make colours appear duller or softer. This is common in stationery and office printing, where a natural, textured finish is preferred.
Common Uses:
✔️ Letterheads & notepads
✔️ Booklets & reports
✔️ Promotional notebooks
When selecting a Pantone colour, it’s important to specify whether it will be printed on coated or uncoated stock to ensure the most accurate colour reproduction.
Why the Pantone Colour System Matters
Whether you’re creating corporate merchandise, branded packaging, or marketing materials, understanding the Pantone Colour System ensures that your colours remain consistent across all applications. By choosing Pantone spot colours, specifying coated vs. uncoated stock, and knowing when to use CMYK or RGB, you can achieve the most professional and accurate results for your brand.
For more details on the Pantone Matching System, visit the official Pantone website.
