Pantone is a standardized color matching system used primarily in the printing and graphic design industries. It allows designers and printers to refer to specific colored inks, ensuring consistency across different materials and productions. When people refer to Pantone colors, they are usually referring to the Pantone Matching System (PMS). This system specifies over 1000 precisely defined colors by assigning a unique number and name to each one. Pantone has numerous green colors in their matching system, each with its own distinctive name and number identifier.
Overview of Major Pantone Greens
Here is an overview of some of the most common and popular Pantone greens:
| Pantone Number | Color Name |
|---|---|
| PMS 347 | Pantone Green |
| PMS 356 | Pantone Green C |
| PMS 366 | Pantone Lime Green C |
| PMS 368 | Pantone Green C |
| PMS 369 | Pantone Green |
| PMS 370 | Pantone Yellow Green C |
| PMS 371 | Pantone Green C |
| PMS 374 | Pantone Green C |
| PMS 376 | Pantone Pine Green |
| PMS 561 | Pantone Green C |
| PMS 563 | Pantone Green C |
| PMS 564 | Pantone Green C |
As you can see, Pantone has numerous shades of green, ranging from brighter lime greens to deep forest greens. Many of the color names simply contain “Green” or “Green C,” while some have more descriptive names like “Pine Green.” The Pantone number allows designers to precisely identify the exact shade they want.
Most Popular Pantone Greens
Some Pantone greens stand out as being particularly popular and widely used in design and printing applications. Here are three of the most well-known Pantone greens:
PANTONE 356
Perhaps the most iconic Pantone green, 356 has been described as a primary green with emerald undertones. It is a vivid mid-tone green that really pops against white or black. PMS 356 is a very versatile color that works well in a variety of contexts from product packaging to marketing materials.
PANTONE 368
PMS 368 is brighter and cheerier than 356. It’s a yellow-tinged lime green that brings to mind the colors of spring. This youthful green is often favored for designs wanting to convey growth, renewal, or freshness. It’s bright without being too intense.
PANTONE 369
369 is richer and deeper than 356. It’s a jewel-toned green with more blue undertones, giving it an elegant feel. This regal green works beautifully when paired with gold or silver accents. It’s widely used in upscale or corporate designs.
Uses of Pantone Greens
Pantone greens see wide use across printing, packaging, digital design, and more. Here are some typical applications of famous Pantone greens:
Packaging Design
Vibrant Pantone greens like 356 and 368 really make products stand out on store shelves. Green evokes feelings of health, renewal and environmental friendliness – all positive associations for packaging.
Company Branding
Lots of major corporations like Whole Foods, Spotify, and John Deere use various Pantone greens as part of their logo and branding. The color conveys growth, freshness, and nature.
Posters/Signage
Greens like PMS 369 have a bold, attention-grabbing effect in large format applications like posters and banners. The color provides high visibility and differentiation.
Apparel
For apparel, athletic brands often use bright, energetic greens like 368. For more natural or outdoorsy looks, deeper greens like 347 work well. Green is associated with active lifestyles.
Website Design
On websites, green can signify growth, health, or finance. Brighter greens convey vigor and youth, while darker greens feel more stable for conservative sites. Green is also easy on the eyes.
Alternatives to Pantone for Greens
While Pantone is the dominant standardized color system, there are a few alternatives that designers can also reference for greens:
RAL Color System
RAL is a European color-matching system that is widely used for paints and coatings. Some common RAL greens include RAL 6002 (leaf green), RAL 6010 (grass green) and RAL 6037 (pure green).
NCS Color System
NCS (Natural Color System) is based on the six elementary colors our eyes can perceive. Four of its greens are S 2050-G, S 2060-G10Y, S 2070-G30Y, S 2080-G50Y.
HSB/HSV Codes
On computers, green colors can be defined using HSB (hue, saturation, brightness) or HSV (hue, saturation, value) codes. These reference precise shades.
RGB/Hex Codes
For digital design, greens can also be specified using RGB or hex codes. These define the mixture of red, green and blue light to produce the desired color.
Conclusion
Pantone offers designers an enormous range of precisely defined greens to work with. Some of the most popular shades are classics like PMS 356 and 368. Pantone greens are widely used across printing, packaging, branding, apparel, digital media and more. They allow consistent color-matching on any material or medium. While Pantone dominates in print, RAL, NCS, HSB/HSV and RGB/hex codes offer alternative ways of specifying green colors for designers. Overall, Pantone greens provide a versatile palette for any project seeking to use the power of green.
