Pastel colors refer to soft, pale shades of colors that have been tinted with large amounts of white. They are meant to evoke a sense of delicacy and subtlety. In the world of design, pastel colors provide an airy, refreshing alternative to brighter, bolder shades. Many artists and designers utilize pastels as they allow more freedom to blend hues and create a sense of luminosity within a work.
When it comes to the official Pantone Matching System (PMS), there are a wide selection of pastel shades available across the color spectrum. The Pantone colors are used for design purposes like print design, digital design, fashion design, and more. Each Pantone color has an assigned number code that universally represents that exact shade. This allows for accurate color matching across different materials and mediums.
Below is a reference guide to some of the most popular pastel Pantone colors and their official PMS codes.
Pastel Yellow Pantone Colors
Pastel yellow is commonly associated with springtime, sunshine, and new beginnings. Pastel yellows work beautifully in color palettes with other soft pastel hues. Here are some of the top pastel yellow options in the Pantone Matching System:
| Pantone 12-0104 TCX | Buttercup |
| Pantone 13-0645 TCX | Mimosa |
| Pantone 12-0725 TCX | Marigold Yellow |
| Pantone 14-1058 TCX | Lemon Chiffon |
| Pantone 12-0643 TCX | Sulfur |
Buttercup is a pale, creamy pastel yellow reminiscent of the bright flower, while Mimosa is a soft yellow with slight golden undertones. Marigold Yellow has hints of orange that give it a warm, sunny glow. Lemon Chiffon is a very light pastel yellow that is evocative of the dessert. Sulfur is a muted, greenish yellow that is named after the mineral.
Pastel Orange Pantone Colors
Pastel oranges convey a sense of cheerfulness, optimism, and creativity. They work nicely alongside other pastel hues like pinks, peaches, yellows, and greens. Here are some top pastel orange options from the Pantone color system:
| Pantone 15-1150 TCX | Apricot |
| Pantone 14-1110 TCX | Peach |
| Pantone 15-1264 TCX | Melon |
| Pantone 15-1146 TCX | Coral Cloud |
| Pantone 15-1248 TCX | Salmon |
Apricot is a soft, pale orange with subtle pink undertones. Peach is an understated, creamy orange. Melon has a pinkish quality reminiscent of the fruit. Coral Cloud is a airy, subdued coral tone. Salmon is a light orange-pink that takes its name from the fish.
Pastel Pink Pantone Colors
Pastel pinks are associated with femininity, romance, and grace. They can create a gentle, tender ambiance. Here are some of the top pastel pink choices in the Pantone color guides:
| Pantone 13-2520 TCX | Ballet Slipper |
| Pantone 14-1311 TCX | Blush |
| Pantone 14-2808 TCX | Pink Lace |
| Pantone 13-2812 TCX | Petal Pink |
| Pantone 14-1314 TCX | Cameo Pink |
Ballet Slipper is a soft, pale pink, while Blush is a subtle, muted pink. Pink Lace has more warmth and is reminiscent of the fabric. Petal Pink is named for the delicate object. Cameo Pink is an elegant, understated pink meant to evoke carved cameos.
Pastel Purple Pantone Colors
Pastel purples represent wisdom, imagination, and nostalgia. They are frequently seen in spring palettes. Here are some top pastel purple options from Pantone:
| Pantone 16-3817 TCX | Wisteria |
| Pantone 17-3635 TCX | Lavender |
| Pantone 16-3815 TCX | Lilac |
| Pantone 17-3546 TCX | Orchid Mist |
| Pantone 16-3629 TCX | Iris |
Wisteria is a light purple named after the flowering vine. Lavender is a soft, elegant purple that calls to mind the herb. Lilac is a muted purple frequently associated with the spring bloom. Orchid Mist has delicate blue undertones. Iris is a pale purple meant to evoke the eye flower.
Pastel Green Pantone Colors
Pastel greens are linked to renewal, health, and the natural environment. They make great partners for other pastel shades. Here are some top pastel green Pantone colors:
| Pantone 16-6123 TCX | Opal Green |
| Pantone 13-0512 TCX | Celadon |
| Pantone 15-5720 TCX | Seafoam Green |
| Pantone 16-0225 TCX | Pistachio |
| Pantone 17-6030 TCX | Spa |
Opal Green has subtle bluish undertones, like the gemstone. Celadon is a pale, grayish green that refers to ceramics glazed in this hue. Seafoam Green is an ethereal pale green meant to evoke ocean surf. Pistachio is a muted pastel green that calls to mind the nut. Spa is a restful, relaxing pastel green.
Pastel Blue Pantone Colors
Pastel blues are widely used for their soothing, peaceful qualities. They bring a sense of tranquility and order to any palette. Here are some top pastel blue selections from the Pantone color system:
| Pantone 14-4313 TCX | Baby Blue |
| Pantone 13-4103 TCX | Celestial Blue |
| Pantone 14-4202 TCX | Blizzard Blue |
| Pantone 15-4112 TCX | Ice Blue |
| Pantone 16-4535 TCX | Morning Blue |
Baby Blue is a soft, powdery blue tinted with white. Celestial Blue is an airy, peaceful blue meant to evoke the sky. Blizzard Blue is a pale, hazy blue that calls to mind gentle snowfall. Ice Blue is a crisp, delicate blue, lighter than cyan. Morning Blue has subtle gray undertones.
Pastel Neutrals Pantone Colors
In addition to pastel chromatic colors, there are also several neutral pastel shades in the Pantone lineup. These can serve as elegant backgrounds or provide subtle contrast. Here are some top pastel neutral Pantone colors:
| Pantone 11-0105 TCX | Bone White |
| Pantone 12-0104 TCX | Cameo Beige |
| Pantone 16-1300 TCX | Ballet White |
| Pantone 11-0701 TCX | Classic Rose |
| Pantone 19-1514 TCX | Dove Gray |
Bone White is an off-white with subtle beige undertones. Cameo Beige is a pale, sandy beige meant to evoke carved cameos. Ballet White is a pure, clean white that refers to ballet costumes. Classic Rose is a pale, subdued rose hue. Dove Gray is an elegant, muted gray with a blue undertone.
Using Pastel Pantone Colors
When using pastel Pantone colors in design, it is important to pay attention to lightness value. Pastels with a similar depth of shade and saturation will create a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing palette. Many designers recommend choosing one dominant pastel shade, then drawing the other hues from the same lightness range.
It is also advised to stick to just a handful of pastel shades in one palette—3 to 4 at the most. Too many can oversaturate the eyes. You can use tints, tones, and shades of the same pastel hues to expand the palette gently without overwhelming viewers.
Keep in mind that pastels may require a white base when printing to prevent muddying on colored and darker substrates. Always reference official Pantone formulas when matching to physical materials. Pay attention to light sources, as pastels can shift under different lighting conditions.
Conclusion
Pastels remain a perennially popular color choice across all areas of design. Their soft, delicate nature allows designers to create palettes that are pleasing and elegant. Having access to the official Pantone codes for pastel shades makes color-matching easy and consistent no matter what medium is used.
Whether for spring-themed projects, women’s products, childrens’ brands, or to simply evoke a sense of pureness and light, pastels are a versatile option. The colors listed above represent some of the most widely used pastel tones in the Pantone Matching System. Keep their PMS codes on hand for whenever you need to implement delicate, whisper-soft color in your designs.
