877 PMS refers to a specific Pantone Matching System (PMS) color code used for design and printing applications. The Pantone Matching System is a standardized color reproduction system that allows designers to specify and match colors precisely across different materials and mediums. Each PMS color is given a unique number code along with specific formulations for mixing pigments or inks to reproduce that color. This helps provide consistency in color reproduction across different substrates and processes. Understanding what the PMS 877 color code refers to can help designers, printers, and manufacturers ensure accurate color matching in projects and products.
Defining the PMS Color System
The Pantone Matching System is a proprietary color space developed by Pantone Inc. in 1963. It was created to solve the issue of inconsistent color matching across the printing and design industry by standardizing formulations for mixing pigments and inks to produce specific colors. Each color is specified by a unique PMS number and formula guide. For example, PMS 185 refers to a specific CMYK formula for mixing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to produce that red tone. The PMS guide has been expanded over time and today defines thousands of colors. It enables accurate communication of color specifications so any printer or manufacturer can reproduce the same color by mixing inks or dyes to match the Pantone formula. This allows consistent color matching across different materials from plastic to fabric.
PMS 877 Color Code Specifications
PMS 877 is a specific color within the Pantone Matching System. The PMS colors are defined by their pigment or ink mixing formulas as well as their corresponding swatch number. For PMS 877, the specifications are:
| PMS Number | 877 |
| CMYK Formula | C:45 M:100 Y:18 K:33 |
| RGB Approximation | R:92 G:28 B:71 |
| Hex Color Code | #5C1C47 |
The CMYK formula defines the specific mixture of 45% cyan pigment, 100% magenta, 18% yellow, and 33% black ink to produce the PMS 877 color. When screen printing or digitally displaying the color, the RGB approximation of R:92 G:28 B:71 or hex code #5C1C47 can be used to match the PMS 877 tone.
Visual Appearance of PMS 877
So what does PMS 877 actually look like visually? With a hue between red and purple, PMS 877 appears as a deep reddish purple color. It is considered a cool, dark tone with strong saturation. When used in design, packaging, or printing, PMS 877 will produce a bold, rich purple with red undertones. The high amount of magenta versus cyan and yellow in the formula contributes to its distinctly purple versus red appearance. However, the strong red levels still separate it from a true purple. PMS 877 has a sophisticated look, often used for cosmetics, luxury or tech branding, logos, marketing materials, and products targeted at upscale audiences.
Comparing it to other PMS colors can further illustrate the distinct visual characteristics of PMS 877:
– It is darker and cooler than PMS 214 (a pinkish purple)
– More red and purple than PMS 251 (a true purple)
– Darker than PMS 7421 (a reddish pink)
– Less blue than PMS 267 (a purple with blue undertones)
So while it may contain both red and purple tones, PMS 877 is definitely more on the purple end of the color spectrum than the red. It lacks enough warmth and brightness to be considered a true red. Within the purple family, it stands out for its bold saturation and red undertones separating it from a pure violet.
Using PMS 877 in Design and Printing
When using PMS 877 in a design or printing project, referencing the official PMS color guide or swatches is recommended to achieve accurate color matching. The CMYK breakdown should be used when mixing custom ink or for 4-color process printing. RGB or hex values can be used for onscreen display or digital printing. PMS colors may vary slightly across different materials and finishes, so test prints are advised to approve the color before final production.
PMS 877 works well for packaging like cosmetic boxes, bottles, and tubes. It also has applications for luxury or tech accessories, stationery, retail branding, marketing materials, and apparel. However, saturation and tone may need adjustments depending on the substrate. On white paper stock, PMS 877 will appear bold and vivid. But on a black fabric, it may take on a lighter, redder look. Adjustments to the formula mixing or digital color profiles may be required to achieve the desired appearance. This is why using PMS swatches as a reference is key for color accuracy.
When using PMS 877 digitally, be aware that color displays and printers can alter its appearance. Test prints should be reviewed before final approval. Converting PMS colors to RGB or CMYK will also change the accuracy. Spot color mixing or separation is ideal for preserving the true PMS 877 color, especially for branding purposes. Custom ink mixing also allows modifying the formula slightly to optimize for a specific material. So while PMS provides vital color standards, some flexibility and testing is still needed for real-world reproduction.
Pairing Colors with PMS 877
Because PMS 877 is a bold, darker hue, pairing complementing colors requires some strategic approaches. Very light tints of PMS 877 can work for accent colors. Soft purple-grays, pinks, and whites also complement it well. For contrast, matte black is a popular pairing. PMS Cool Gray 2 is ideal for a more muted, sophisticated accent. Metallic silvers, golds, bronzes, and copper colors also stand out nicely against the purple tones.
Other colors that work well with PMS 877 include:
– PMS 429 (pastel pink)
– PMS 661 (smoky blue)
– PMS 7549 (lavender)
– White
– Metallic silver, gold, copper
Avoid pairing it with warm colors like orange, yellow or red, as these will clash. Fellow jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red also make incompatible combinations. However, PMS 877 works as an accent color on black backgrounds, lending a modern, abstract look. It also stands out paired with grayscale schemes.
Alternatives to PMS 877
For designers seeking a similar color to PMS 877 but with slightly different undertones, several alternatives exist within the PMS system:
– PMS 266: More vibrant purple, less red
– PMS 2592: Lighter, pinkish purple
– PMS 2695: Darker, blue-toned purple
– PMS 7490: Reddish-pink tone
– PMS 7622: Desaturated reddish purple
– PMS 502: Deeper, blue-based purple
Each formula will be slightly different in proportions of pigments to produce subtle variations in hue, value, and chroma. Side-by-side comparisons of swatches are the best way to assess these differences. Testing print samples is also advised to determine how the colors reproduce on the intended substrate and process. Slight tweaks to the mixing formulas can also fine tune the shades.
Beyond PMS options, similar shades can be mixed using CMYK or RGB blending. But these will not have the pre-calibrated consistency of PMS spotted colors. Custom ink mixing or digital color calibration allows finer control of hue, value, and saturation. So alternatives can certainly be created, but the PMS system provides industry-standard recipes for repeatable accuracy.
Uses of PMS 877 Beyond Printing
While PMS is designed as a printing industry standard, PMS 877 has expanded applications beyond ink and substrate matching into wider color coordination and inspiration:
– **Digital Design:** 877 can be used for web, video, presentations
– **Product Design:** 877 provides a recognizable brand color for accessories, electronics, sporting goods, etc.
– **Fashion:** 877 offers a sophisticated, elegant color for apparel, shoes, jewelry
– **Vehicles:** Automotive paint mixing can reference 877 for a custom purple
– **Interior Design:** 877 can be incorporated into textiles, wall colors, furniture
– **Makeup/Beauty:** Cosmetics like lipstick, eye shadow, nail polish can be matched to 877
– **Food/Beverage:** 877 provides unique color for packaging, servingware, decor
While the PMS system enables accurate print reproduction, designers in many fields utilize it as an authoritative color reference. Digital files, textures, materials, and paints can all be matched to the precise 877 color. This allows a unified brand identity across different mediums beyond printing.
Conclusion
PMS 877 is a reddish purple color within the Pantone Matching System. Its specific CMYK ink mixing formula and RGB/hex values define the exact shade of purple with red undertones. Visually, it is a deeply saturated, cool purple tone that stands out for its unique color characteristics. When used properly in design and printing applications, PMS 877 produces a bold, elegant purple. It works well for luxury branding, packaging, marketing assets, and products geared toward upscale markets. As a proprietary standard color, PMS 877 enables accurate communication and reproduction of this signature purple across any printing or manufacturing process. It also serves as an authoritative reference for consistent color use beyond printing in wider design fields and brand identity.
