PantoneSysteme

Pantone systems refer to a family of standardized color identification and management systems created by Pantone LLC. The most widely used is the Pantone Matching System (PMS), introduced in the 1960s to facilitate accurate color reproduction across printers and manufacturers. In PMS, colors are defined by a unique code, such as Pantone 183 C, where the suffix indicates a print substrate: C for coated, U for uncoated, M for matte. The system provides physical color swatches organized in guides, enabling designers to communicate precise colors independent of printer or lighting conditions.

Pantone has expanded beyond the PMS to include Pantone FHI (Fashion, Home + Interiors), which standardizes colors for textiles and interior finishes, and digital color systems such as Pantone Live, a cloud-based color management service that links swatch data to production equipment. Pantone releases a yearly Color of the Year, influencing design trends across industries.

Usage and limitations: The Pantone system is designed to ensure consistent color across printing workflows; however, colors may appear differently when printed on various substrates, under different lighting, or when approximated in CMYK or RGB digital workflows. Conversion between Pantone colors and CMYK or RGB is approximate, and practitioners generally specify Pantone codes for branding and packaging, then use appropriate proofs for printing.