Pantone is known for its wide range of colors used in the design industry. With over 10,000 colors in the Pantone Matching System, they offer many options for designers. However, neon colors have grown in popularity recently, leaving some to wonder if Pantone offers neon colors as part of their signature color matching system. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at whether Pantone has neon colors available.
What are neon colors?
Neon colors refer to extremely bright, saturated shades that appear to “glow.” They are named after neon lighting, which produces a very vivid illumination. Some examples of neon colors include neon yellow, neon pink, neon orange, and neon green.
These shades have an intense, almost fluorescent quality to them. They seem to jump off the page or screen when used in visual designs. This makes them eye-catching and vibrant choices for graphics, apparel, marketing materials, and more.
Does Pantone offer neon colors?
Pantone does offer some neon colors, but they are more limited than their core collection of hues. Here are some details on Pantone and neon shades:
Pantone Neons
In 2020, Pantone launched the Pantone Neons collection, consisting of 4 bright, vivid colors:
– Pantone 801 C
– Pantone 802 C
– Pantone 803 C
– Pantone 804 C
These shades were added to bring neon options into the Pantone Matching System. They provide designers with neon choices for the signature Pantone color codes.
Other Vivid Pantone Colors
In addition to the Pantone Neons, there are many other vivid, bright colors in the Pantone palette. These aren’t classified specifically as “neons” but do offer very bold, saturated shades:
| Pantone 109 C | Vivid Yellow |
| Pantone 158 C | Vivid Orange |
| Pantone 188 C | Vivid Red |
| Pantone 247 C | Vivid Blue |
| Pantone 293 C | Vivid Purple |
So while the neons are more limited, designers have many options for intense vivid tones throughout the Pantone system.
How do Pantone neons work?
The Pantone Neons function like any other Pantone color. Each neon shade is assigned a specific Pantone number and code. For example:
– Pantone 801 C
– Pantone 802 C
– Pantone 803 C
– Pantone 804 C
These codes allow designers to accurately specify colors for reproduction across different materials and mediums. This ensures logo colors, branded assets, apparel, packaging, and more will all display the exact same neon shade.
Pantone neons are integrated into software like Adobe Creative Suite as well. Designers can select the specific Pantone neon value to apply it in digital or print projects. This streamlines workflow and enhances consistency.
How do Pantone neons compare to other neon palettes?
Most neon palettes contain many more bright, vivid options than the 4 in Pantone’s neon library. For example:
| Pantone Neons | 4 colors |
| RAL Neon Colors | 30+ colors |
| Sherwin-Williams Neons | 15 colors |
| Benjamin Moore Hi-Glos Neons | 14 colors |
While other neon collections offer more shades, the Pantone neons allow designers to utilize the trusted matching system. The Pantone codes ensure color accuracy since other neon palettes don’t have the same level of matching control.
Pros of using Pantone neons
Here are some benefits that Pantone neon colors provide:
– Unique, vivid colors options within the Pantone system
– Ability to precisely match neon colors across different substrates and materials
– Colors integrate seamlessly into Adobe software
– Offers neon choices for branding and marketing materials
– Colors are designed to be long-lasting and resistant to fading
– Can request custom Neon colors from Pantone by special order
Limitations of Pantone neons
There are a few limitations to consider with Pantone neon colors:
– Very limited selection – only 4 Neon options
– More expensive than buying standard neon colors
– Difficult to visually differentiate between the 4 Neon codes
– Not as versatile as a wider neon palette
– Mostly used for accents rather than primary colors
Are Pantone neons right for every project?
Pantone Neons work great for:
– Adding pops of color to draw attention
– Unique, branding and graphic elements
– Web and digital design projects
– Short-run printing and prototyping
However, they may not be the best choice when:
– A large neon palette is needed for a full-color design
– Cost needs to be strictly limited
– Projects require frequent re-ordering and matching overtime
– Fading resistance and color permanency are less important
For most situations requiring multiple neons or cost control, a more extensive neon system may be a better option. But Pantone Neons are a great fit for adding bold, attention-getting accent colors.
Conclusion
In summary, Pantone does offer a neon color selection, but it is quite limited compared to other neon palettes. The 4 Pantone Neons provide vivid options within their trusted matching system. But more extensive neon libraries from RAL, Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and others may be needed for projects requiring many neon shades.
The iconic Pantone process ensures color accuracy and fading resistance with the Pantone Neons. But the higher cost and very limited selection are tradeoffs designers will need to consider. Overall, Pantone Neons are best suited for adding bold pops of color rather than complete neon designs. Their unique place in the Pantone Matching System makes them a helpful option for some projects but not an exact replacement for larger neon libraries.