Pantone colors refer to a standardized color matching system used primarily in the printing and graphic design industries. The Pantone Matching System allows designers to specify and match colors accurately across various materials and mediums. But where exactly can you find specific Pantone colors when needed for a project? Here are some of the main ways to locate and obtain Pantone colors.
Pantone Color Guides
One of the most direct ways to find and reference Pantone colors is through Pantone’s own published color guide books. Pantone produces several different color guide products that together provide a comprehensive selection of colors to choose from.
| Pantone Color Guide | Description |
| Formula Guide | Contains over 3,000 solid Pantone colors |
| Color Bridge Guide | Features all Pantone solid coated and uncoated colors |
| Pastels & Neons Guide | Includes soft pastel and neon shades |
| Metallics Guide | Metallic Pantone colors |
| Premium Metallics Guide | Expanded selection of metal effect colors |
| Color of the Year Guide | Showcases Pantone’s Color of the Year picks |
These guides display Pantone colors on fan decks or boards arranged by color family or tone. Each color has an associated number code you can use to identify the exact color you need. The guides provide the most complete representation of Pantone colors available. Many designers and printers own these sets as essential references.
Pantone Color Libraries
In addition to the physical color guides, Pantone also offers digital color libraries that catalog all the Pantone colors with their codes. These libraries make it easy to browse Pantone colors on your computer and integrate them into digital designs and documents.
Some examples of Pantone’s digital color libraries include:
– Pantone Color Manager Software – contains every Pantone color and allows creating color palettes or converting to other color systems.
– Pantone Color Bridge Coated & Uncoated Set – includes all solid coated and uncoated colors searchable by code or name.
– Pantone Graphics and Fashion, Home + Interiors Sets – contain Pantone colors tailored to specific design needs.
The libraries are available for purchase on Pantone’s website or through design software like Adobe Creative Cloud. Using the digital libraries allows designers to integrate and implement Pantone colors quickly in their work.
Pantone Color Tools
In addition to guides and libraries, Pantone produces tools designed to make finding and matching Pantone colors as easy as possible:
– Pantone Color Capsure Mobile App – use your smartphone to capture and match real-world colors to Pantone colors instantly.
– Pantone Color IQ – scan surfaces and materials with this device and connect to an app that identifies the closest Pantone colors.
– Pantone Color Bridge Color Pick Tool – physical fan deck tool that helps choose coordinating Pantone colors.
– Pantone Connect Series – enables creating custom digital color palettes by collecting Pantone colors from various sources.
These tools allow matching existing items to their closest Pantone equivalents. They provide an easy way to identify and specify Pantone colors even when not starting with the color guides or libraries.
Pantone Products
Many products like markers, pens, and chips are produced in Pantone colors. These provide practical physical materials you can use directly in designs or mockups. Some examples include:
– Pantone double-ended markers with both coated and uncoated caps.
– Pantone plastic color chips of solid or metallic colors.
– Textile swatch cards printed in cotton, silk, etc.
– Assorted fine writing instruments in selected Pantone colors.
Having Pantone colored materials available can make visualizing and trying out color options quicker. The products serve as handy physical references to actual Pantone colors.
Third-Party Pantone Products
In addition to Pantone’s own official products, many manufacturers produce materials that use Pantone colors, making them another way to access Pantone colors:
– Design software like Adobe Creative Cloud contains built-in Pantone color libraries.
– 3D modeling software such as AutoCAD offers downloadable Pantone color packs.
– Some printer ink manufacturers formulate inks to match Pantone spot colors.
– Companies sell self-adhesive vinyl films or plastics in Pantone colors for prototypes.
– There are custom manufacturers that can produce items painted or dyed in specified Pantone colors.
Pantone maintains strict color consistency standards for its licensed products. This ensures colors are uniform across the various materials available from different sources.
Online Pantone Color Finders
A quick way to look up Pantone colors is through free online databases where you can search for colors by name or number:
– Pantone Color Finder – search tool on Pantone’s website.
– FindAColor – database of Pantone and other color systems.
– EasyRGB – allows converting non-Pantone colors to the nearest match.
– Encycolorpedia – encyclopedic reference with all Pantone colors.
These sites make it easy to find colors digitally based on partial names or by picking them visually. They are handy for quick online color lookups.
Pantone Color Lists
Listings of Pantone colors are widely available online and can help identify colors to use:
– Pantone provides PDF color charts on their website for free download.
– Lists of the most popular Pantone colors are posted on many design sites.
– Websites may curate custom Pantone color palettes for specific uses like branding.
– Catalogs of Pantone colors named after famous people or characters are fun references.
The lists can provide a starting point for picking colors or inspiration for color schemes. They are a quick way to look through subsets of Pantone colors.
Pantone Identity Guides
Many major companies publish Pantone identity guides that specify the exact Pantone colors used in their visual branding. These serve as definitive color references for things like:
– Company logos and brand elements.
– Packaging, marketing materials, and products.
– Digital applications like websites and apps.
Collecting identity guides is one approach designers take when creating work that references brands or pops culture properties that have established Pantone colors. The guides provide precise color specifications.
Pantone Color Trend Reports
To stay on top of current color trends, Pantone publishes color trend forecasts focused on fashion, graphic design, product design, and interiors. These can offer inspiration when picking colors for new projects and provide palettes of Pantone colors expected to be popular in the coming seasons.
Some examples of Pantone’s color trend reports include:
– New York Fashion Week Reports – detail upcoming color trends spotted on the runways.
– London Fashion Week Reports – forecast color trends seen in London fashion shows.
– Paris Fashion Week Reports – showcase the latest color trends from Paris.
– Milan Fashion Week Reports – cover the newest color trends from Milan fashion shows.
– Home + Interiors Reports – focused on upcoming colors for home decor, furniture, and interior design.
Consulting the seasonal Color Trend Reports allows staying ahead of developments in color preferences and styles. The reports can influence color choices even in projects unrelated to fashion or interiors.
Conclusion
Pantone provides a universal language of color that streamlines design communication across global supply chains. There are numerous ways for designers, brands, printers, and manufacturers to accurately identify, specify, and obtain Pantone colors. Reliable access to the full Pantone color system is essential for implementing and maintaining color consistency. Whether using physical or digital tools, the wide availability of Pantone colors resources ensures colors can be matched perfectly every time.
