Lime green is a bright, vibrant shade of green that elicits feelings of freshness and vibrancy. In the Pantone Matching System (PMS), the color system used for printing and graphic design, lime green has several corresponding colors. Determining the exact Pantone color for lime green depends on the specific shade and hue. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Pantone colors that correspond to different shades of lime green.
Overview of the Pantone Color System
The Pantone Color Matching System is a standardized system used to precisely match colors across various mediums. Pantone is the authority on commercial color reproduction and their color guides are used widely in graphic design, printing, manufacturing, textiles, and more.
Some key things to know about the Pantone Color System:
– It is based on mixing 14 base pigments to create thousands of distinct colors. Each color is assigned a unique PMS number for identification.
– The system includes both solid, opaque colors from the Pantone Matching System guide and transparent, translucent colors from the Pantone Goe guide.
– Colors may look different based on the type of substrate or material they are printed on. Always refer to Pantone guides to ensure accurate color selection.
– The Pantone Color System goes through updates and changes each year to reflect color trends and demands. New editions are released annually.
– In digital design, Pantone colors can be matched using hex codes or CMYK/RGB approximations to ensure color accuracy.
Having a standardized system for color communication is essential for consistent color reproduction across different materials and providers. When selecting a lime green shade, referring to Pantone colors will eliminate guesswork and mismatched colors.
Characteristics of Lime Green
Before identifying specific Pantone colors, it’s helpful to understand the defining characteristics of lime green as a color:
– Hue: Lime green is a bright, vibrant yellow-green. Its hue falls between green and yellow on the color wheel.
– Brightness/Saturation: Lime green is highly saturated – it has low black content and maximum intensity. It is considered a “bright,” bold shade.
– Lightness/Value: Lime greens are light to medium in tone, falling around the midpoint of the value scale. They are neither too light nor too dark.
– Color Mix: Lime green is created by mixing high amounts of yellow and green with very little blue. The exact ratio determines the shade.
– Feelings/Symbolism: Lime green is associated with renewal, freshness, vibrancy, vigor, rejuvenation, and philanthropic causes. It has an uplifting, energetic effect.
With these characteristics in mind, we can better identify Pantone colors that capture the essence of lime green. The saturation and lightness, in particular, will help narrow suitable choices.
Pantone Solid Coated Lime Greens
In the Pantone Solid Coated guide used for printing on coated paper and card stock, there are several options that correspond to different shades of lime green:
| Pantone # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 368 | Lime Green |
| 375 | Lime |
| 381 | Grass Green |
| 388 | Green Apple |
| 390 | Kelly Green |
PANTONE 368 Lime Green – This is a bright, light spring green with strong yellow undertones. It has high saturation and relatively light value. Of the solid coated greens, this is the closest match to a typical lime green.
PANTONE 375 Lime – This is a light, soft lime hue with subtle yellow-green tones. It is mildly desaturated compared to 368 Lime Green. The color is vibrant but not overly bright.
PANTONE 381 Grass Green – This is a muted yellow-green with more of a green bias than 368 or 375. It is slightly darker and more subdued than a typical lime green.
PANTONE 388 Green Apple – A brighter, slightly cooler green with visibly more green content than 368 or 375. It approaches the cusp of lime and regular green.
PANTONE 390 Kelly Green – A pure, strong yellow-based green closest to a true “kelly green”. It lacks the subtle vibrancy of lime green.
For a true lime green on a coated printing surface, PANTONE 368 Lime Green or 375 Lime are the best options and align closest to expectations. PANTONE 381 Grass Green falls more into regular green territory with subtle lime undertones.
Pantone Solid Uncoated Lime Greens
For uncoated printing stock and other non-glossy substrates, the Pantone Solid Uncoated guide provides corresponding colors to match those in the coated guide:
| Pantone # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 361 | Lime Green |
| 364 | Green |
| 367 | Green |
| 368 | Green |
| 370 | Green |
PANTONE 361 Lime Green – The uncoated match for 368 Lime Green. A bright, vivid yellow-based green.
PANTONE 364 Green – The uncoated version of 375 Lime. A muted, soft lime hue.
PANTONE 367 Green – The uncoated pairing for 381 Grass Green. A subdued light green with subtle warmth.
PANTONE 368 Green – The uncoated match for 388 Green Apple. A cooler, greener lime with less vibrancy.
PANTONE 370 Green – The uncoated match for 390 Kelly Green. A pure green with strong yellow undertones.
For uncoated lime green printing, PANTONE 361 Lime Green or 364 Green are the best options for replicating the bright, vibrant look of lime green.
Pantone Pastels & Neons Lime Green
Beyond the solid coated and uncoated colors, Pantone also offers lime green options in the Pastels & Neons guide containing soft, muted shades:
| Pantone # | Color Name |
|---|---|
| 489 | Green |
| 490 | Green |
| 491 | Green |
These colors provide softer, lighter alternatives to the vivid solids. While not as bright and saturated, they offer whimsical and relaxed lime green shades.
PANTONE 489 Green – A very light, subtly muted pastel lime closer to a true pastel green.
PANTONE 490 Green – A soft, muted pistachio green with subtle yellow warmth.
PANTONE 491 Green – A pale muted green with the slightest hint of lime vibrancy.
For a more whimsical, relaxed lime green, these pastel options can be used in place of the bold solid coated greens.
Matching Lime Green Colors Digitally
When working digitally, Pantone colors can be matched approximately using hex codes or CMYK/RGB values. Here are some of the closest digital matches:
| Pantone # | Hex Code | CMYK Values | RGB Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| 368 | #C7EA46 | 50/0/100/0 | 199/234/70 |
| 375 | #D1DC2B | 45/0/100/0 | 209/220/43 |
| 490 | #E2F0D6 | 30/0/40/0 | 226/240/214 |
These digital approximations can be used in web design, video editing, presentations, and anywhere an accurate lime green is needed digitally. Keep in mind colors may vary based on screen display. For best accuracy, reference a physical Pantone swatch book.
Choosing the Right Lime Green
When selecting a lime green, consider the following:
– Print or digital use? Reference appropriate Pantone libraries.
– Desired saturation level? Bolder solid greens vs. muted pastels.
– More yellow or green bias? Yellow-based are brighter “limes” while green-based are more subdued.
– Print material? Coated vs. uncoated guides.
– Industry standard? Pantone for print, hex/RGB/CMYK for digital.
– Accuracy needs? Get physical swatches for critical color matching.
Getting an exact color match requires evaluating the context of use and requirements around saturation, hue bias, and reproduction method. By exploring the available Pantone lime greens, you can pinpoint the perfect shade of vibrant, uplifting lime green for any project or purpose.
Conclusion
In summary, the Pantone Color System provides a range of lime green shades depending on the specific hue, brightness level, and printing requirements desired. For a typical true lime green, PANTONE 368 Lime Green or 361 Lime Green are the closest aligned from the solid coated and uncoated guides respectively. Alternatives like 375 Lime or 490 Green provide softer, more muted variations. Consulting physical Pantone swatches helps make the best selection for color accuracy. When used appropriately, Pantone colors remove ambiguity and enable reliable lime green color reproduction across all design media.