Pantone Swatches: A Comprehensive Guide

Pantone Swatches

Learn more about Pantone Swatches and their place in the design industry: here, we'll review Pantone and its application with various mediums, paper types and places to get books and chips:

An Introduction to Pantone Swatches

The Pantone company has been setting the standard for universal color systems and calibrations for over 40 years with their "Pantone Matching System (PMS)." This color matching system allows for a synergy between pre-press professionals, graphic designers and printing companies by assuring the exact final color result for a print job. Supported by all graphic design software packages including but not limited to Photoshop, Illustrator and QuarkXPress, Pantone has become the undeniable necessity in the print industry, especially since it is a world standard among the printing industry, by conveniently assigning numbers to hundreds of colors and shades, and classifying color subsets.

Color Basics

Color 101: A Review of the Different Types

Pantone has released many different swatch sets through the years, along with many great features, such as RGB/CMYK comparison and even HTML# colors. Here's a basic breakdown of different color categories:

CMYK: The standard for printing, which blends the ink colors of Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow(Y) and Black (K or Key). This is also known as "process," "full process," or "4-color process." CMYK printing uses "halftones," or lighter shades of the four colors, to represent lighter versions of a color.

RGB: The color template primarily used for computer screens by web designers, composed of the three colors Red, Green and Blue. These are also known as the Primary Colors. RGB tends to look more vibrant and versatile than CMYK, although it involves a different printing process and is not commonly used for that purpose. In printing, RGB is performed with each color on its own "plate." When each plate is overlayed, the final image appears. For TVs and computer monitors, each pixel represents one of the RGB colors.

Spot Colors: This term usually refers to CMYK, but is mainly used in the industry to define a non-standard color (such as a metallic or fluorescent). Most printing companies charge extra for the usage of spot colors.

Paper Types

How Paper Affects Color Output

The next step in understanding Pantone colors and choosing the right swatch book is to think about the type of paper you'll be printing on. Paper is also called "stock" and is measured by its thickness in "pounds" or "#." Pantone offers separate books based upon different paper types. The basic types are outlined below:

Coated: Coated paper, much like its name suggests, is coated with a compound to make it appear smooth to the touch, glossy, or shiny. Ink painted on the surface of coated paper generally looks rich and vibrant. It usually has ultraviolet protection to help prevent fading. Most corporate brochures and high-quality mailouts use coated paper.

Uncoated: Uncoated paper does not have any kind of coating, and tends to absorb ink more than coated paper. Newspapers and circulars use uncoated paper.

Matte: Matte paper is basically favored by those doing photographic prints, as it has a flat yet smooth surface, and an great ability to display accurate color representations.

Pantone Specialty Inks

Other Ink Sets that are Worth Recognition

Beyond the standard ink types, Pantone also offers swatch sets based on specialty inks. They include:

Pantone Metallic Swatches: Metallic ink represents shades of silver, gold, bronze and other colors. Although they appear to be flat-shaded on a computer screen, they wind up printing with a shimmering effect, due to the fact that special metal filings are included within the ink itself.

Pantone Pastel Swatches: Pastel colors are soft and "powdery" in appearance and typically associated with the Spring season. Pantone has released a separate booklet just for pastels.

Pantone Tints: An interesting and new inclusion, which shows you the tint variations of basic colors from 10% to 80% lighter.

Pantone's Color Cue 2 handheld calibrator

This handy device allows you to point it at any real-life object, and grab a specific color. The device then gives you the most accurate Pantone value for that color. In addition, you can translate that color into RGB, CMYK, an HTML value, or L*A*B; making it an ideal solution for interior decorators, graphic or web designers, or anyone that is looking to reproduce certain colors with the highest level of accuracy.

Pantone COLORCUE2 New Instant Color ID Handheld Tool

The new Color Cue 2 lets you identify the colors that inspire you and match PANTONE® Colors wherever you go. Combining two PANTONE Libraries in one hand-held device, the new Color Cue 2 enables you to cross match any material or surface to the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® and PANTONE for fashion and home or PANTONE for architecture and interiors color palettes. Move effortlessly from inspiration to realization. Integrating a desired color into your designs has never been easier. The sleek, new Color Cue 2 is ergonomically designed and loaded with features that make it easier to use.

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Choosing the Right Pantone Swatch Book

What Type of Work Will You Be Doing?

Now that you've gone through the basics, it's time to think about what print work you'll be doing. Here are several suggestions (assuming that you will be using either coated or uncoated paper, or a little of both):

Brochures, quality magazines, pamphlets, posters, book covers: You'll most likely get a lot of use out of the "Pantone Coated" booklet.

Newspapers, circulars, business cards, invitations, letterheads, business letters, book pages: You'll probably want to go with the "Pantone Uncoated" booklet.

Pantone also offers the "Color Bridge" booklet, which allows you to see how Pantone colors will look, when reproduced in CMYK format. It will also allow you to see the computer monitor color reproductions for Pantone colors.

Pantone Chips vs. Books

Selecting One or the Other

Pantone swatches come in two forms: chips and swatch books. Pantone Chips come in a small binder with several "squares" of each Pantone color that are perforated and removable. You can then paper-clip a swatch to your print material and send it to the printing company as a reference. Alternately, you can remove swatches and compare them to each other.

Pantone Swatch booklets are long and rectangular shaped. They allow you to fan out the swatch pages, hold them up to a screen or printout, and compare colors by eye. These are typically the more popular products, since swatch chips tend to get lost and used up, prompting you to buy a replacement page or book.

TIP: Professional printing companies will usually buy swatch booklets every year (which is when Pantone updates their booklets) for accurate and up-to-date color representation. They do this because office fluorescent lights and the sun can alter swatch colors (Don't worry though - unless your swatches have extreme and constant exposure to light, you will never notice this). Since you probably don't want to buy a new book for yourself every year, It's always recommended that you keep your swatch book in a closed drawer when not used. Pantone even gives you a holding case if you purchase the Essentials swatch pack.

Watch and Learn: The Pantone Color System

Get an in-depth review of how Pantone works for you!

This video reviews the Pantone Essentials package. Learn about the new organizational structure of the swatches, and how they can be used to cross reference different color types and international standards.

Pantone Essentials

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Pantone Essentials Bundle, Essentials and Library

Collections of All Popular Pantone Sets in One Package

Pantone Essentials

My personal favorite! Get all of the important books in one nice set, with its own case. It has a lower price than the other book sets, too.

The PANTONE essentials bundle includes all the tools you need to accurately identify solid PANTONE Colors. This is the perfect carry-along companion for graphic designers, print sales reps or anyone who relies on accurate spot color identification, communication and control. Simply point and click the Color Cue on an object to identify the closest PANTONE Color, then use the formula guides as your visual reference for the color match.

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Pantone Essentials Plus

Get everything you need to stay current with the latest PANTONE color palettes. All eight guides contained in the set have received major updates, so you'll have the confidence of knowing your color tools are in step with today's standard. Plus, this special edition includes 97 shimmering metallic colors and 28 pastels. That's 125 more choices, so you'll never be at a loss for color.

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Pantone Reference Library

PANTONE reference library is the perfect tool for design firms, print shops, corporate communications or anyone who requires a complete source for graphic color choices. The latest library has been designed with a bold new look to display the most innovative collection of PANTONE guides and books ever offered.

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Pantone Standard Formula Guides

Coated, Uncoated, Matte

Pantone Formula Guide Coated, unCoated, matte

The new edition has been redesigned in a larger format which provides more color area with which to work, improved readability of important color data and better accessibility to all colors on the pages. The formula guide is an essential tool for graphic designers, pre-press professionals and printers. Its simple design provides a convenient and portable reference that can accompany you at client presentations or on press. This three-guide set contains 1, 114 PANTONE Colors on coated, uncoated and matte stocks.

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Formula Guide: Coated & Uncoated

The new edition has been redesigned in a larger format which provides more color area with which to work, improved readability of important color data and better accessibility to all colors on the pages. The formula guide is an essential tool for graphic designers, pre-press professionals and printers. Its simple design provides a convenient and portable reference that can accompany you at client presentations or on press. This set contains 2 114 PANTONE Colors- coated and uncoated.

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Pantone formula Guide Matte

Redesigned in a larger format which provides more color area with which to work, improved readability of important color data and better accessibility to all colors on the pages. If you specify PANTONE Colors for reproduction on matte paper, this guide provides an accurate representation of how they will appear on the final output. Ink formulations for 1, 114 solid PANTONE Colors are included in parts and percentages.

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Pantone Solid Color Chips

Chip Books for Standard Pantone Colors

Pantone Solid Chips two book set

Contains chip books for Coated & Uncoated

Redesigned in a larger format which provides 25% percent more color area per chip and improved handling. This two-book set includes six perforated chips for each solid PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM Color, making it easy to select, specify and communicate color on coated, uncoated or matte stocks. Attach color reference chips to artwork and digital files to ensure that you get a perfect match every time.

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Pantone Solid Chips three book set

Contains chip books for Coated, Uncoated & Matte

Redesigned in a larger format which provides 25% percent more color area per chip and improved handling. This three-book set includes six perforated chips for each solid PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM Color, making it easy to select, specify and communicate color on coated, uncoated or matte stocks. Attach color reference chips to artwork and digital files to ensure that you get a perfect match every time.

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Pantone Metallic Swatches and Formula Guides

For Metallic Paints

Pantone Metallic formula Guide

* Broad palette of 301 colorful metallics
* Each color identified with a distinct PANTONE Number
* Ink mixing formulas
* Seven base colors shown with and without a gloss overprint varnish

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Pantone Pastel Guides

Pantone Pastel Chips Coated + unCoated

The Pantone Pastel Coated & Uncoated chip book.

The PANTONE pastel chips book offers six specification chips for each PANTONE pastel color. You get 154 soft, subtle shades to choose from.PRODUCT FEATURES:Eliminates guesswork in color selection;Chromatic layout makes it easy to locate desired colors;Easy - to - use and portable loose - leaf format;One book allows you to select a color and specify with a chip for accurate communication;Each chip provides a printing standard with colors that bleed for ease and accuracy in checking "on press";Each color is shown with and without overprint varnish for visualizing its affect on the color;Easy to communicate colors by distinct number or name;System supported by worldwide network of PANTONE Licensed Printing Ink Manufacturers.

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Pantone Pastel Formula Guide Coated + unCoated

The Pantone Pastel Coated & Uncoated swatch book.

The PANTONE pastel formula guide contains 154 PANTONE Pastel Colors on both coated and uncoated stocks. Each of the chromatically-arranged colors is displayed along with a unique PANTONE Number and ink formulation. Developed with a special base palette, these colors can be mixed and reproduced accurately and economically with a minimum of waste.

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Pantone Color Bridge

Compare Pantone to CMYK and Monitor Color

Pantone Color Bridge Set

Contains both Pantone Color Bridge "Coated" and "Uncoated" books.

The PANTONE® color bridge set illustrates how PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® Colors will reproduce in CMYK on coated and uncoated stock. Although many can be successfully rendered, there are a large majority that cannot due to the limitations of the four-color process as compared to using pre-mixed inks. The fan guides display 1,089 solid PANTONE Colors alongside their closest four-color process match. In addition to CMYK screen tint percentages provided for each process color, sRGB and HTML values are listed for every solid PANTONE Color.

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Pantone Color Bridge Coated

The individual Pantone Color Bridge "Coated" book.

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Pantone Color Bridge Uncoated

The individual Pantone Color Bridge "Uncoated" book.

Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 05/17/2008)

Pantone Tints

Color Tint Comparison Booklets

Pantone Tints 4 Book Set

After a year in research and development, the PANTONE tints sports numerous enhancements. Re-engineered for greater utility, it is now presented as a four-volume fan guide set featuring tint effects that bleed off the page for press check ease. Pantone has also increased the size of each tint, brightened and increased the durability of the paper stock and show each color printed as a thin and thick rule.

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Pantone Feedback:

Thanks for visiting this Pantone Swatches guide - hopefully it was of help!

shy3d

This website is excellent! Check out my lenses for more cool creative design tips!

Posted February 08, 2008

JaguarJulie

Fantastic lens -- I've been a fan and "user" of Pantone for more years that I can remember. In fact, I'm sitting in my office and within 6 feet of me is that Pantone swatch book! Always had issues with Reflex Blue ... but LOVE all colors for the most part. ;-)

Posted November 16, 2007

Meloramus

Excellent lens! We love the pantone book at work - especially the specials. 5*

Posted September 02, 2007

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Great Lens! Well thought out and informative.

Posted July 17, 2007

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Pantone Swatches: A Comprehensive Guide

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