Cherry red is a vivid, deep red color that resembles the skin of a ripe cherry. It’s a popular color for clothing, accessories, home decor, automobiles, and graphic design. But with so many shades of red out there, how do you know specifically which red is considered “cherry red”? This is where Pantone Color codes come in handy.
What is Pantone?
Pantone is a standardized color matching system used primarily in the printing, painting, textile, and fashion industries. The Pantone Color Institute was established in 1963 and publishes guides with thousands of colors divided into various color systems. Two of the most popular guides are the Pantone Formula Guide, containing solid coated and uncoated colors, and the Pantone Color Bridge Guide displaying process colors. Pantone has become the authority on color matching across various materials and mediums.
Each Pantone color has an assigned number and name to identify that precise shade. For example, Pantone 19-1664 Chile Pepper is a vivid reddish-orange, while Pantone 18-1643 Cayenne is more subdued. Having a standard Pantone number allows designers, manufacturers, and printers to accurately communicate colors across different materials like plastic, fabric, ink, paint, and more. This ensures consistent color reproduction and avoids guesswork.
What is the Pantone number for cherry red?
The Pantone color that most closely matches the deep, warm red of a cherry is Pantone 485 C. Its numbering breaks down as:
- 485 – The 3-digit number identifies the specific color in the Pantone Matching System Formula Guide
- C – Denotes from the solid coated guide (vs UC for uncoated)
So Pantone 485 C is the signature cherry red in the Pantone solid coated library. Some other key facts about Pantone 485 C:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | PANTONE 485 C |
| Guide | Pantone Formula Guide Solid Coated |
| RGB Values | R: 170 G: 13 B: 27 |
| CMYK Values | C: 0 M: 100 Y: 75 K: 15 |
| Hex Code | #AA0B1B |
As you can see, Pantone 485 C is a vivid red with strong magenta undertones. It sits on the warmer side of red due its slight orange influence compared to a deeper burgundy red. When visualized, Pantone 485 C resembles a juicy, ripe cherry at its peak.
When is Pantone 485 C cherry red used?
Pantone 485 C is a bold, attention-grabbing shade that makes it versatile for many commercial uses:
- Fashion & Beauty – Used for clothing like dresses, sportswear, swimwear. Often paired with white or black for high contrast.
- Automotive – Seen on exotic sports cars like Ferraris, Lamborghinis for its flashy allure.
- Food & Beverage – Used in packaging and marketing for “cherry” products – cherry soda, cherry candy, cherry pie filling.
- Home Décor – Adds a punch of color to home accessories – pillows, rugs, kitchen appliances.
- Digital Design – Web sites and apps use it to draw attention via call-to-action buttons.
Pantone 485 C evokes energy, warmth, playfulness, and appetite appeal. It stands out against more neutral backgrounds. But it also pairs well with shades like white, black, gray and other jewel tones to create stylish color combinations.
How Pantone 485 C cherry red differs from other reds
While Pantone 485 C is considered the closest match to cherry red, there are many shades of red across the Pantone library. Here’s how some other popular reds compare:
| Pantone # | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pantone 186 C | Vermillion Red | Slightly more orange-red, brighter |
| Pantone 200 C | Rubine Red | Bluish-red, cooler toned |
| Pantone 485 C | Cherry Red | Deep, warm red; resembles ripe cherry skin |
| Pantone Warm Red C | Warm Red | General warm, red; less specific than 485 C |
| Pantone 7427 C | Burgundy | Darker, grayish-red, wine undertones |
As shown above, Pantone 485 C cherry red is distinctly different from other variations of red:
- It is darker and warmer than vermillion red
- Not as cool-toned as rubine red
- More vibrant than generic warm red
- Lacks the dark wine tones of burgundy
When an exact cherry red is needed, Pantone 485 C is the closest match. It cannot be substituted or approximated by another red without losing that unique cherry undertone.
How to use Pantone 485 C cherry red in design
For designers and manufacturers, Pantone 485 C provides an important point of reference. Here are tips for working with this signature cherry red:
- Reference Pantone color guides – Use physical or digital libraries to view swatches of 485 C for color accuracy.
- Match with 4-color process – Convert to CMYK or RGB values if printing materials call for that.
- Preview on final materials – View on finished products before full production to ensure correct appearance.
- Call out Pantone number – List 485 C on design specifications so vendors reproduce the exact color.
- Combine carefully – Use with lighter or darker colors so 485 C does not overwhelm.
Pantone 485 C is stunning on its own but also pairs beautifully with complementary colors. Analogous combinations include coral, burnt orange, gold, and yellow. For triadic harmony, partner it with shades of green and violet. Split complementary looks great with blue-green and yellow-orange hues. Darker neutrals like black, brown, and gray also allow the cherry red to pop. Get creative exploring different color schemes!
Conclusion
When searching for that perfect, ripe cherry red, look no further than Pantone 485 C. This signature shade in the Pantone Formula Guide Solid Coated is universally recognized as cherry red. It’s deeper and warmer than other reds, with just a hint of orange for vibrancy. Pantone 485 C brings energy and allure to anything it touches. Use this official cherry red to make a bold, appetizing impact on your next design project.
