The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM ® and PANTONE ® FORMULA GUIDES
The year was 1963. Hundreds of ink manufacturers were producing ink for thousands of printers. Ink manufacturers provided
swatches of their inks that did not match or “translate” from manufacturer to manufacturer. Corporations produced color
standard guidelines for the two or three colors associated with their brands. But a universal color reference library to identify
and communicate color along the product development workflow from designer - manufacturer - marketer - printer - retailer consumer, did not exist. The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM and PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES were created to fill this void.
Because the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM concept was simple to understand and the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE was
easy-to-use, consumer acceptance was immediate. By publishing a color reference library printed under tight quality
standards, identifying each color by a unique number and linking each color to a precise ink mixing formula, everyone involved
in the development process could accurately communicate color. And everyone understood the value in being able to specify
a color as “PANTONE 485” and having that shade of red look the same from design concept to finished product and from
product packaging to product advertising.
The original FORMULA GUIDE was called the Printers’ Edition and had 500 colors for offset printers. Though the current
FORMULA GUIDE now includes 1,114 colors, the concept of the first FORMULA GUIDE hasn’t changed much since its
inception nearly half a century ago.
From these humble beginnings, PANTONE Color Libraries have been developed for the graphic arts, textile, fashion & home
and plastic industries. Today, specifications for thousands of PANTONE Colors are built into design software and production
equipment. Pantone, Inc. publishes a variety of products for color communication from printed guides to dyed textiles. All to
provide a set of common languages recognized worldwide as international standards for the communication of color.
Lawrence Herbert
CEO, Pantone, Inc.
CIE 1931 Chromaticity Diagram
Understanding Color Spaces and the
PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM
Color spaces define boundaries within the visible color spectrum. Think of a color
space as a perimeter fence: all colors inside the fence are represented in that color
space; all colors outside the fence are not. The area inside the fence is referred to as
the color space's color gamut.
PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM
CMYK
sRGB
CIE 1931: In 1931, the Commission Internationale De l'Éclairage (CIE), the international
standards body that deals with all aspects of light (and hence color), created a
mathematical model that uses synthetic, imaginary primaries that represent our eye’s
individual cone responses. Through mathematical constructs rather than physical
realities, the CIE primaries model behavior that is very real.
The horseshoe-shaped diagram at the right shows the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram,
a mathematical illustration of color space. The spectrum locus, as it is sometimes
called, shows the boundaries of visual color space. In other words, the area inside this
locus represents every color that the normal human eye can see. Note that the three
dimensions of color are flattened into a single two-dimensional plane which ignores
the lightness of a color, and therefore, this diagram should not be equated with the
appearance of a color.
The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM
RGB: RGB, or red, green and blue, are the additive primaries that are the basic
elements of white light. By mixing amounts of RGB, other colors are made. Because
they are spectrally pure primaries, RGB provides a very wide range of colors. The
downside of the RGB color space is that most of the colors in this gamut cannot be
displayed on standard computer monitors and cannot be printed.
In contrast to the commonly recognized color spaces, the PANTONE MATCHING
SYSTEM is a color communication system, with each color referred to as a
PANTONE Spot Color (shown as black dots on the diagram above). The PANTONE
MATCHING SYSTEM is not considered a color space but a color system. Although
one could connect the outermost dots in the diagram, the result is not a gamut since
there are a finite number of colors that are included in the PANTONE MATCHING
SYSTEM.
sRGB: The sRGB, or “standard” RGB, color space was developed by Microsoft and
Hewlett-Packard as a device-independent color space that is compatible with most
computer monitors and other hardware. Its features include a D65 (6500 K) white
point, a monitor gamma of 2.2 and various other standards for viewing. Its intent is
to provide uniform viewing conditions across various monitors resulting in consistent
visual results.
The colors in the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM have been selected to encompass
as much of the visual color space as our ink set allows. The chromaticity diagram
shows that there are PANTONE Spot Colors spanning much of the CMYK and sRGB
color spaces. However, when a CMYK or sRGB representation is not accurate
enough, the use of spot colors ensures the perfect color every time.
CMYK: CMYK (the color space enclosed by the magenta line in the diagram at the
right) is a subtractive color model used in color printing. This color model is based
on mixing pigments of C=Cyan, M=Magenta, Y=Yellow and K=Key (black) to mix
other colors.
The high level of quality control in creating Pantone’s publications means that they
are a reliable source for color communication. Ideally, the PANTONE MATCHING
SYSTEM is used in all stages of the design and production of printed materials
ensuring that the final output will meet your client’s expectations.
CMYK is in some respects the opposite of RGB color space, as it is based on
using colored ink to progressively obscure an already white background. The cyan,
magenta and yellow colors may be thought of as alternative primary colors to red,
green and blue. In theory, equal quantities of CMY should produce black, but
the use of the fourth “color” black may be more reliable.
Understanding the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE
14 PANTONE Basic Colors
The 14 PANTONE Basic Colors found on pages 1.1 and 1.2 of the FORMULA GUIDE,
plus PANTONE Transparent White, are the building blocks of the PANTONE MATCHING
SYSTEM. Precise mixtures of these PANTONE Basic Colors, provided in parts and
percentages, allow the ink mixer to accurately create the 1,114 unique spot colors in the
current palette. In the development of a printed project, the mixed colors are compared to
the color swatches printed by Pantone in the FORMULA GUIDE or CHIPS book for a
quality check of color match.
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
Yellow
Yellow 012
Orange 021
Warm Red
Red 032
Rubine Red
Rhodamine Red
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
PANTONE
To be a PANTONE Licensed
Printing Ink Manufacturer,
Pantone approves the color
accuracy of their base
colors annually.
Purple
Violet
Blue 072
Reflex Blue
Process Blue
Green
Black
Plus PANTONE Transparent White
The PANTONE FORMULA
GUIDE or a chip from a
PANTONE CHIPS book
provides a final quality check.
Without consistently accurate PANTONE Basic Colors, the mixed spot color will vary. To
ensure quality, Pantone tests every ink manufacturer’s version of the PANTONE Basic
Colors annually. Only when an ink manufacturer’s version of the PANTONE Basic Colors
matches the control version of the PANTONE Basic Colors at Pantone, do we approve
them as a PANTONE Licensed Printing Ink Manufacturer.
The Center-line Concept
lighter by adding increasing amounts of PANTONE Transparent White. PANTONE
166 C, PANTONE 167 C and PANTONE 168 C get progressively darker by adding
increasing amounts of PANTONE Black.
The FORMULA GUIDE is printed with seven colors per page and uses a “centerline” concept. The center-line color (usually, but not always, the color in the middle
of the page) is a mixture of one or more of the 14 PANTONE Basic Colors. Lighter
colors are printed using the same ratio of PANTONE Basic Colors as the center-line
color plus increasing amounts of PANTONE Transparent White. Darker colors are
printed using the same ratio of PANTONE Basic Colors as the center-line color plus
increasing amounts of PANTONE Black.
Most PANTONE Colors, such as PANTONE 165 C, have the center-line color in the
middle of the page. However, as colors were added, exceptions occurred. For
example, on page 26.5 C, the PANTONE Basic Color Violet is the center-line color
but occupies position 5, just below the center of the page. The important thing to
remember is the concept of adding PANTONE Transparent White or PANTONE Black
to change the appearance of a center-line color, wherever the center-line color
appears on the page.
Using page 11 C from the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE/solid coated guide as an
example illustrates how the center-line concept works. PANTONE 165 C is the
center-line, and is a mixture of 50% PANTONE Yellow and 50% PANTONE Warm
Red. PANTONE 164 C, PANTONE 163 C and PANTONE 162 C get progressively
= Achievable in RGB
8 pts PANTONE Yellow
40.0
8 pts PANTONE Warm Red 40.0
4 pts PANTONE Black
20.0
PANTONE
168 C
11 C
8 pts PANTONE Yellow
47.1
8 pts PANTONE Warm Red 47.1
1 pt PANTONE Black
5.8
PANTONE
167 C
8 pts PANTONE Yellow
50.0
8 pts PANTONE Warm Red 50.0
PANTONE
165 C
8 pts PANTONE Yellow
49.2
8 pts PANTONE Warm Red 49.2
1
⁄4 pt PANTONE Black
1.6
4 pts PANTONE Yellow
25.0
4 pts PANTONE Warm Red 25.0
8 pts PANTONE Trans.Wt. 50.0
PANTONE
164 C
PANTONE
166 C
2 pts PANTONE Yellow
12.5
2 pts PANTONE Warm Red 12.5
12 pts PANTONE Trans.Wt. 75.0
•• •• = Achievable in CMYK
+ BLACK
CENTER-LINE
PANTONE
163 C
PANTONE
162 C
1
⁄2 pt PANTONE Yellow
3.1
1
⁄2 pt PANTONE Warm Red 3.1
15 pts PANTONE Trans.Wt. 93.8
+ WHITE
Why Pantone Recommends Replacing Your PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Annually
The formula for a particular PANTONE Color never changes; the formula for
PANTONE 165 C is the same today as it was in 1963. But, the look of the color
will vary depending on the paper or substrate on which a color is printed.
The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM is a transparent ink system, and the color,
coating, UV-components and other characteristics of the substrate being printed
will affect the appearance of the printed color. As the same color ink can change
dramatically in appearance when printed on different paper stocks, Pantone
publishes PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES and CHIPS books on three different
paper substrates: C = coated paper, U = uncoated paper and M = matte paper
to provide a visual reference of the affect different papers have on color.
(NOTE: You may also be familiar with suffixes CV, CVC and CVU which stood for
Computer Video, Computer Video Coated and Computer Video Uncoated.
These suffixes were used in computer programs prior to 2000 and are no
longer used.)
Though our color formulas haven’t changed over the years, our paper
specifications have changed. Because today’s marketers prefer brighter,
whiter papers, Pantone changed the paper used in our guides in 2003.
Finally, because paper yellows with age and ink fades, the appearance of a printed color will change over time. (NOTE: For specifications of the papers currently
used in our FORMULA GUIDES and CHIPS books see our STAY UP-TODATE/product & technical information brochure or visit pantone.com).
To ensure that the end result of a project meets the expectations of everyone
involved in the process, Pantone recommends the following:
1. Replace your PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES annually, and make sure
that everyone involved in the process is using current PANTONE Products.
2. Always specify colors using the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE that
corresponds most closely to the printed substrate: coated, uncoated
or matte.
3. Since the substrate used in the project will almost certainly differ from
the substrate used in PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES, always attach a
PANTONE Color Chip to all copies of your project. The PANTONE Color
Chip has been referred to as “the world’s smallest contract” and is the visual
quality reference that directs the final printed material.
( ) This icon signifies when a PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Color is achievable
in RGB space for electronic media such as a color monitor. This icon is shown on
833 colors.
1
Once selected, the color is identified and communicated by its unique number.
Specify PANTONE 155 C and that color is recognized worldwide.
The ink formula tells the ink mixer precisely how to mix the ink to match the color
standard under controlled conditions. Colors can be mixed using volume or
weight; combining the ingredients until properly blended.
3
4
PANTONE 71⁄2 pts PANTONE Yellow
46.9
1
129 C
⁄2 pt PANTONE Rub. Red
3.1
8 pts PANTONE Trans.Wt. 50.0
•• ••
The large swatch of solid color can be used for color selection or color matching.
By bleeding edge-to-edge, the color swatch can be overlaid onto other colored
surfaces for visual comparison and selection, or can be used to match the color
of your printed project.
( ) This icon signifies when a PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Color is achievable
in CMYK and is shown on 680 colors. This important feature helps determine
when a printed project can use the economy of four-color process or justify when
a fifth color is necessary for accurate color reproduction. For the most accurate
color match, a fifth spot color is recommended.
PANTONE 33⁄4 pts PANTONE Yellow
11.7
1
128 C
⁄4 pt PANTONE Rub. Red
.8
28 pts PANTONE Trans.Wt. 87.5
•• ••
The current PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE has four primary components of
information for accurate color identification and communication:
1 A large swatch of solid (spot) color
2 A unique number assigned to each color swatch that includes a C, U or M
suffix to denote the type of paper
3 The ink formula for each color in parts and percentages
4 CMYK and RGB icons to call-out special features of certain colors
PANTONE 33⁄4 pts PANTONE Yellow
5.9
1
127 C
⁄4 pt PANTONE Rub. Red
.4
60 pts PANTONE Trans.Wt. 93.7
•• ••
Using the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE
2
PANTONE TINTS
Application Across Industries
PANTONE TINTS is a companion product to the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE.
PANTONE TINTS show each of the 1,114 PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Colors in
tints from 10% to 80%. Each tint also shows three contrasting color treatments:
the word “BLACK” shows black type over the tint; the word “COLOR” shows
solid color over the tint; and the word “REVERSE” shows white reversed out of
the tint.
While the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE is a reference for lithographic ink
mixing formulas, it is also extremely useful in all areas of graphics, printing and
various other industries. For example: a box manufacturer may get an order for
packaging specifying the color PANTONE 256 C. Though the company prints
with flexographic ink, the company will have skilled technicians that are able to
match that color with the use a PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE or a PANTONE
CHIP as a reference. Without the guide, this would be impossible unless a
physical sample of the desired color is sent to the printer.
Combined, the 1,114 spot
colors and 8,912 tints offer
more than 10,000 color
alternatives! Printed on
coated and uncoated
stock, that number grows
to over 20,000 colors!
Pantone also sells ink mixing
scales programmed with ink
formulas for precise color mixing.
Pantone’s Color History
Since the introduction of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM and PANTONE
FORMULA GUIDES in 1963, there have been three major expansions of the
PANTONE Color Palette.
The original PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM Palette consisted of 500 colors,
chromatically arranged and numbered with three-digit references beginning with
PANTONE 100. These colors still exist today.
1963
In 1987, the palette was increased to 747 colors when the 747XR publications
were introduced. The new colors were given four-digit numbers and inserted
chromatically between the original colors. In addition, four lightfast PANTONE
Basic Colors (PANTONE Yellow 012, PANTONE Orange 021, PANTONE Red
032 and PANTONE Blue 072) were included as substitutes for PANTONE Yellow,
PANTONE Warm Red and PANTONE Reflex Blue. They provided increased lightfastness, but were not directly used in the formulation of other colors. PANTONE
Violet was also added to the PANTONE Basic Colors to expand the palette.
Finally, in 2000, the current palette of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM was
introduced and the number of colors increased to 1,114. Pantone added 147
“designer-inspired” colors numbered PANTONE 7401 through PANTONE
7547, while a few other specialty colors were retired. Due to popular demand,
PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES and PANTONE CHIPS books were also
reintroduced on matte paper.
2000
Another important aspect in the evolution of the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES
and PANTONE CHIP books was the change to a new, brighter paper stock in
2003. This was also the first time that the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE changed
format from one guide with coated and uncoated paper to a two-guide set with
separate coated and uncoated guides. These changes were the result of consumer input and made the guides easier to use. Thus is the evolution of the basic
PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM Palette of 1,114 colors that exists today.
To see how old your FORMULA GUIDE is, visit www.pantone.com/expire and
click the “check if your guide expired” icon. And remember, we recommend that
you update your PANTONE FORMULA GUIDES annually.
1987
Today
In 1991, the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM 1000 publications were introduced,
further expanding the color palette to 1,012 colors. A series of muted colors
made their debut as PANTONE 600 through PANTONE 732.
1991
Pantone’s Commitment to Quality
Pantone uses the highest level of quality control in the manufacture of all
PANTONE Products. Since 1996, we have been certified as an ISO
9000:2001 company. We manufacture all PANTONE Publications in our
Carlstadt, New Jersey, facility. In this manner, we can ensure the consistency of the colors found in PANTONE Products throughout the world.
In the midst of this digital age, our goal is to facilitate the reproduction
of colors that are designed anywhere in the world for production
anywhere in the world. This becomes a reality when the PANTONE
MATCHING SYSTEM Library of Colors is used to accurately select,
specify, communicate, reproduce, match and control colors.
Pantone, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company.
For Additional Product or Technical Information:
Visit Our AskPantone Web Site: http://www.pantone.com
Call Pantone Technical Support: 888-PANTONE (726-8663), then Press 2
Call Pantone Customer Service: 888-PANTONE (726-8663)
To locate our worldwide list of Authorized PANTONE Resellers, visit:
http://www.pantone.com/dealers
PANTONE Colors displayed here may not match PANTONE-identified standards. Consult current PANTONE
Color Publications for accurate color. PANTONE® and other Pantone, Inc. trademarks are the property of
Pantone, Inc. © Pantone, Inc., 2007. All rights reserved.
FORMULA GUIDE
/solid color information