Lowes offers a wide selection of paint colors, including many options that match or closely approximate Pantone colors. While Lowes does not carry the official Pantone formulations, their in-store color matching system allows customers to bring in Pantone swatches or numbers and have paint mixed to match those colors. Here is a closer look at how Lowes handles Pantone paint colors and some tips for getting the closest match.
Does Lowes Offer Official Pantone Paint Colors?
No, Lowes does not offer the proprietary, official Pantone formulas in their off-the-shelf paint selection. Pantone LLC licenses official Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors to specific paint brands and manufacturers. Lowes opts not to pay for an official license to carry Pantone colors.
However, many of the major paint brands stocked at Lowes do produce their own versions of popular Pantone colors. These are not exact matches, but may be close approximations designed to compete with Pantone. Lowes also provides in-store color matching services to match the hue of any physical swatch or sample you provide.
Finding Close Matches to Pantone at Lowes
While Lowes does not carry branded Pantone paints, they do offer a wide color selection with many shades that resemble popular Pantone colors. Here are some of the closest pre-mixed options you can find on the shelves at Lowes for common Pantone colors:
| Pantone Color | Closest Lowes Paint Color |
| PANTONE Yellow C | Sun Ray SW6915 – Sherwin-Williams |
| PANTONE Rhodamine Red C | Rustic Red SW7593 – Sherwin-Williams |
| PANTONE Purple C | Grapevine SW9183 – Sherwin-Williams |
| PANTONE Blue 072 C | Sleepy Blue SW6914 – Sherwin-Williams |
| PANTONE Green C | Rejuvenate SW9138 – Sherwin-Williams |
So while Lowes does not have the true, licensed Pantone colors, they do offer some comparable colors in their major paint brands like BEHR, Glidden, Olympic, Sherwin-Williams, and Valspar. Checking these pre-mixed options is a good starting point when trying to match a Pantone color at Lowes.
Using Lowes Paint Color Matching
The best way to get an accurate match to Pantone colors at Lowes is to bring in a physical Pantone swatch or sample chip and use their color matching services. Here are some tips for getting the closest match possible to your desired Pantone color:
- Bring in the official Pantone color sample – This will provide the paint mixer the most accurate representation of the color you want to match.
- Provide the Pantone number – Tell the paint associate the specific Pantone number (e.g. PMS 123 C) you want to match to.
- Choose a high-quality paint – Opt for a premium-level paint from brands like Sherwin-Williams or Behr to get better pigmentation.
- Request a small sample first – Have them mix a small 8 oz sample pot first to verify the color before committing to a larger quantity.
- Ask about an underbase – An underbase is an exact match made just for that color and provides the closest match.
- Examine the sample and lighting – Look at the sample in natural daylight to see if it needs any tweaking before finalizing the full batch.
Lowes color matching experts use spectrophotometers and computer matching systems to analyze the color sample and create a custom paint formula designed to match it as closely as possible. This will typically get you extremely close to an ideal match with a Pantone swatch. Be sure to let them know you are looking to match a Pantone color specifically since that indicates a high level of precision is needed.
Tinting Pantone Colors
In addition to color matching, Lowes can also add pigment tints to existing paint colors to shift the hue closer to your target Pantone color. Some tips for tinting paint to achieve a Pantone match:
- Start with a base color that is close – Pick a pre-mixed color that is somewhat similar to make tinting easier.
- Request tinting in small increments – Ask for additions of 1 oz tint at a time to slowly get closer.
- Aim slightly lighter/darker – It’s easier to darken or lighten a shade with tints than to completely change the hue.
- Stir thoroughly and recheck – Fully incorporate each tint before evaluating if another adjustment is needed.
- Know when to stop – Don’t over-tint or you may end up far off or compromise the paint quality.
With some careful color adjustments using tinting pigments, Lowes can tweak pre-mixed paints to get a close approximation of many Pantone colors. Just be aware of the paint’s tinting limits and you may need to start over if you over-tint.
FAQ about Lowes and Pantone Colors
Does Lowes have a Pantone color chart?
No, since Lowes does not carry official Pantone brand paint colors, they do not have a Pantone color reference guide. However, paint associates may have access to Pantone color guides to assist with matching.
Can Lowes scan Pantone colors?
Yes, most Lowes paint desks have spectrophotometers capable of scanning physical Pantone color samples to match the pigments. Bring in your Pantone swatch for the most accurate scan.
Does Lowes take Pantone numbers?
Lowes can match a paint color to an exact Pantone number, though a physical sample is preferred for greatest precision. Providing the Pantone number along with a swatch gives the paint associate multiple references to produce the closest match.
What paint brands at Lowes have Pantone colors?
No brands at Lowes have official licensed Pantone paint colors. However, BEHR, Sherwin-Williams, and Glidden likely offer the widest range of hue options to match Pantone colors through tinting and color matching.
Can I get any Pantone color matched at Lowes?
Lowes can match and approximate the vast majority of the over 1900+ colors in the Pantone Matching System. Extremely bright or muted shades may be more difficult depending on the paint base used. Bringing a swatch is key for uncommon colors.
Achieving Accurate Pantone Color Matches
It takes some effort to match Pantone colors accurately when working with store-mixed paints instead of official Pantone formulations. But Lowes provides all the tools needed – an extensive array of color bases, color matching technology, and experienced paint associates – to get very close equivalents to any Pantone color. The secret is bringing an actual Pantone sample chip, communicating the specific color you want to match, and opting for quality, premium paint brands and bases. With a little time and tweaking, you can get paint mixed at Lowes that will be virtually indistinguishable from your target Pantone hue.
