PMS 165 is a specific shade of orange used in the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a standardized color reproduction system used in printing and design. PMS colors allow designers and printers to match colors exactly so that the colors on final printed materials look the same as they were designed. Each PMS color has a specific name, number, and swatch that identifies its precise hue, saturation, and brightness. So what exactly does the PMS color 165 look like? Let’s take a closer look at this vivid orange shade.
Defining the PMS System
The Pantone Matching System is a proprietary color space used primarily for printing, though it has expanded into other design areas as well. PMS was developed in 1963 to solve a problem faced by designers and printers – colors can look different based on the inks, paper stocks, and printing presses used. This made it extremely difficult to get consistent color reproduction.
PMS created a standard system of ink mixing and paper selection to remove variable issues. It started with 14 basic colors but expanded to have hundreds of solid PMS colors like PMS 165 and many more PMS blends. Each color has its own swatch book representation and a specific number + letter code. The PMS guide and swatch books allow designers, brands, and printers to all reference the same exact color every time.
This helps ensure the colors used on everything from logos and packaging to marketing materials will look exactly the same no matter where or when they are printed. PMS codes like 165C are used to communicate colors and match them precisely.
Defining PMS 165
So what does the specific PMS number 165 look like? PMS 165 is a vivid orange with a bright, saturated appearance. It has a slightly yellowish tint rather than the more reddish tones found in some oranges.
| Name | PMS 165 C |
| Number | 165 C |
| Color Family | Orange |
| Hue Family | Yellow-Red |
| RGB Value | R 240 G 107 B 41 |
| CMYK Value | C 0 M 67 Y 93 K 0 |
| Hex Color Code | #F06B29 |
As shown in the table above, PMS 165 is considered part of the orange color family, with a hue that falls in the yellow-red range. It has very high saturation, with vivid chroma. In RGB values, PMS 165 contains high levels of red and green, balanced with some blue. The CMYK makeup shows a lot of magenta and yellow ink with no cyan.
The hex code that most closely matches the PMS 165 C swatch is #F06B29. This code can be used in web design and digital products to match PMS 165 as closely as possible on screen. However, some variation is expected since RGB onscreen colors differ from printed CMYK colors.
Key Attributes of PMS 165
So what are the defining characteristics of PMS 165 that set it apart from other orange shades?
Vibrancy: PMS 165 is extremely vibrant, with high saturation. It packs a bright, bold orange punch.
Warmth: With its yellow undertones, PMS 165 is a warm, fiery shade of orange. It has energy and heat.
Accessible: Despite being bold, PMS 165 has enough brightness and lightness to remain accessible. It can be read easily.
Friendly: This warm orange has enough yellow to give it a friendly, cheerful look compared to deeper oranges.
Attention-Getting: The high saturation makes PMS 165 eye-catching and noticeable, perfect for drawing attention.
Energizing: As a stimulating warm tone, PMS 165 can energize and excite viewers.
Use Cases for PMS 165
So when and where might a bold shade like PMS 165 be used? Here are some common use cases:
Branding: PMS 165 makes for an energetic, friendly brand color that stands out. It could bring warmth to a brand identity.
Accents: Used sparingly, PMS 165 draws attention to key elements like buttons, headlines, and call-to-action text.
Warning Signs: The vibrancy grabs attention, so PMS 165 can denote warnings, hazards, and important notices.
Nutrition: With its energizing hue, PMS 165 works well in nutrition to promote vitamins, supplements, energy drinks, and healthy foods.
Technology: For technology that needs an accessible yet energetic hue, PMS 165 has versatility.
Transportation: From the aviation industry to bikes and motorcycles, transportation brands can benefit from the dynamic look of PMS 165.
Matching PMS 165
To make the most of PMS 165, it’s key to have the ability to accurately match this color across design projects and printing needs. Here are some tips:
– Purchase an official PMS color guide or swatchbook. This provides real physically printed swatches of PMS 165 and other PMS colors. Use the swatches for visual color matching.
– Reference PMS numbers in design files, communications with printers, and purchase orders. Don’t rely only on color names.
– View Pantone digital color profiles on calibrated monitors. This allows designers to see how PMS 165 looks in digital formats vs print.
– Use the specific CMYK build for PMS 165 during print production. The CMYK makeup is essential for accurate print color reproduction.
– Get color proofs before final printing and check them under proper lighting conditions. Proofs give the ability to tweak and adjust builds to achieve an exact PMS 165 match.
Close Alternatives
What about other shades that come close to matching PMS 165? Here are some alternatives that provide a similar bright orange effect:
PMS 166 C: Just slightly lighter and more subdued than 165. Can work well for larger backgrounds.
PMS 715 C: A neon orange that is even brighter than 165, best for accents.
PMS 021 C: Has a bit more red than 165, still very vibrant.
Pantone 1585 C: A orange yellow, close but with a subtle difference from 165.
Pantone 159 C: A warmer, stronger orange than 165.
Pantone 144 C: Just slightly less saturated than 165 if you need a toned down version.
While no color will be an exact match to the unique PMS 165, these alternatives can work for projects where PMS 165 is not available or an alternate shade is desired. Always reference PMS swatches to find the closest option.
Mixing Your Own PMS 165
For non-commercial printing situations, you can mix your own version of PMS 165 using common paint pigments. Here is one way to mix an orange closely matching PMS 165:
Pigment 1: Cadmium Yellow Light or Winsor Yellow (warm yellow)
Pigment 2: Cadmium Red or Winsor Red (bright orange-leaning red)
Ratios: Mix 3-4 parts yellow pigment with 1 part red pigment
Add more red to darken the orange or more yellow to lighten it. Test your mixed color against a PMS 165 swatch to match it as closely as possible. Mixing your own paints can provide fairly close approximations of popular PMS colors.
History of PMS 165
PMS 165 has been part of the Pantone Matching System since 1963, when the system was created. It was one of the 110 original solid PMS colors specified. The first PMS guide identified it simply as “Orange 021” along with a short hex value. It did not have the 165 C designation yet.
By 1970, Pantone had expanded the system to 161 total colors. The fan guides and selectors were updated, with Orange 021 becoming 165 C. Since then, it has kept its original number and swatch position, still retaining that bright, energizing spirit that made it part of the inaugural PMS lineup. It remains a popular choice for brands and designs needing that friendly but attention-grabbing PMS orange.
PMS 165 in Culture
PMS 165 has made its mark across design, branding, and pop culture over the past decades as well. Some iconic uses of this shade include:
– Nickelodeon: The children’s TV network uses a custom orange very similar to PMS 165 as a core brand color. Their exact match may be PMS 165 with a small custom tweak.
– Major League Baseball: MLB has used PMS 165 on logo and apparel designs since the early 2000s along with other shades of orange.
– Gitlab: This software development company uses PMS 165 / #F36D28 on its logo, website, branding, and app interface.
– Syracuse University: Syracuse Orange athletics uses PMS 165 on uniforms and merchandise, referencing the orange color through the sports mascot.
– Orange Fanta: While more red-leaning than PMS 165, Orange Fanta uses a similar vibrant PMS-based hue with high recognition.
From TV to sports to soda, PMS 165 has become ingrained in branding and identity for its energetic, friendly spirit. It continues to be a popular choice across industries to make things stand out while also feeling fun.
Conclusion
In summary, PMS 165 is a specific saturated orange shade with yellow tones and high vibrancy used in the Pantone Matching System. Known as PMS 165 C, its unique swatch, CMYK recipe, and RGB approximation help designers, brands, and printers match this color accurately across different mediums. With its versatility, attention-grabbing effect, and cheerful feel, PMS 165 has become widely used in commercial branding and beyond. This bright hue evokes fun and grab attention while still feeling accessible and cohesive. So when you need a color that makes a bold impact, keep PMS 165 in mind!
