
Each screen is color calibrated differently. Why is it important to know your PMS color code?īecause computers use RGB - red, green and blue - to create pixels of color. When these inks are mixed at the right proportions, you get the right color and the right final product. They do this by mixing a recipe of CMYK color - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black - to get the identified color. 282c - ensures printers use the right color and have the formula to create it.
#Pms color match code#
Knowing which code your graphic designers use - like Blue Navy 281c vs. Pantone color swatches include upwards of 2,000 different shades for spot color printing. With your PMS color code, manufacturers in different locations have the recipe to create your color correctly, every time. Pull out your Pantone Color Bridge book, look up the 4 color process equivalent (CMYK) of your purple and gold colors, and tell your printer to match that color, which is set as the closest possible color match by the Pantone company – there are no other color combinations that will get close to matching 4 color process colors.The Pantone Color Matching system is a communications tool used in the printing industry.


But you are only going to use the 4 color process and not PMS colors (for various reasons such as the printer can’t use both or you just want to save money). You’ll want to use the 4 color process (CMYK), which is needed for a photo image. You also want your two PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors for your logo of purple and gold. Now let’s say, you need to print a photo image on your packaging or other marketing material. The pressmen will be able to make sure these colors match because you will have given him the correct Pantone number that he can use. There are thousands of variations of gold and purple colors, so how can you ensure the new company will print the correct matching color? Use the Pantone Color Bridge book to manually match up your gold and purple from your, ideally, perfectly printed older sample of your packaging. For years your logo has been a certain gold and purple. Imagine that you have artwork for your product’s packaging that is going to a new packaging manufacturer. They have special tools to help them calibrate the color from beginning to end of the manufacturing process. Packaging manufacturers hire professional press men who know color and the mechanics of a modern press machine. The human eye can detect incredibly subtle variations in color with a side by side comparison. Printing is tricky business, it is an art form as much as it is a science. If you had two Tiffany & Co boxes and the colors didn’t match, you would be possibly wondering if one was a counterfeit product. If their packaging varies from batch to batch, it lessens the visual impact of their product as well as consumer confidence. Getting that EXACT SAME COLOR with every run of their packaging is a top priority for them.

Achieving consistent color in packaging or other printed marketing materials from project to project can be a constant struggle.Īs an example, “Tiffany & Co” has a turquoise color that is a major part of their brand and absolutely essential to the company’s identity. The same color variation is often a big problem for printers or packaging manufacturers. If you print the same color document on two different printers, say at home and at work, do you notice a difference in color with the two copies? Chances are there is a huge difference.
