Pantone
Pantone
Pantone Color Systems Explained
Each day, over 10 million designers and manufacturers work with Pantone to select, communicate, and approve color in design.
How did we become the world's leading color expert?
It all started in 1963, when Pantone revolutionized color communication by inventing a universal color language. For the first time, brand owners & designers had confidence knowing their printers could understand and achieve the color imagined.
Today, we’re your partner for color in design, offering tools for color-savvy industries from apparel to packaging.
We have two color systems. Which Pantone Colors are right for you?
We organize nearly 5,000 Pantone Colors into two Systems, one for print and packaging and the other for product design.
Why? Each system is designed to feature market-relevant colors. Fashion designers need more whites, blacks, and neutrals in their palette, while print and packaging designers need colors that will POP on shelf.
The appearance of color can change based on the material on which it is produced. In fact, some colors are not achievable at all on a certain material. That’s why we organize colors into two systems – to ensure that the colors included are achievable and reproducible based on the materials used.
Let’s take a look!
For print & packaging
THE PANTONE GRAPHICS SYSTEM
Available in the following formats:
- Paper
- Plastic
- Digital
- Brand Guidelines
- Signage
- Printed Materials
- Packaging
- Web & App Design
For fashion & product design
THE FASHION, HOME + INTERIORS SYSTEM
Available in the following formats:
- Textiles
- Coatings & Pigments
- Plastics
- Apparel
- Soft & Hard Home
- Consumer Tech
- Beauty
- Industrial Design
Did you know that our Graphics color system uses unique coding?
When a C or U follows the color number, you are using the Graphics System.
Did you know that our Fashion, Home, Interiors system uses unique coding?
“TCX” references textile, while “TPG” references pigments and coatings.
LEARN MORE 
Why should you update your Pantone Guides & Books?
Handling, light, humidity, and oil will cause colors to become inaccurate and you could be missing the latest market and trend-driven colors. How many colors are you missing?
Why are color standards important?
A brand’s color becomes its calling card, creating associations and expectations, triggering mental images and memories. Studies show that the right color can increase brand recognition by up to 87%.
In product development, the right color is the differentiating factor that can stop someone in their tracks and capture their attention. It is also the most important design element for reflecting mood and style. The right color can sell products and ideas more effectively by 50-85%.
But, choosing the right color is only the beginning. Keeping that color consistent presents multiple challenges that can be solved through Pantone Color Systems.
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