Pantone
Pantone
Pantone Colour Systems Explained
Each day, over 10 million designers and manufacturers work with Pantone to select, communicate and approve colour in design.
How did we become the world's leading colour expert?
It all started in 1963, when Pantone revolutionised colour communication by inventing a universal colour language. For the first time, brand owners & designers had confidence knowing their printers could understand and achieve the colour imagined.
Today, we’re your partner for colour in design, offering tools for colour-savvy industries from apparel to packaging.
We have two colour systems. Which Pantone Colours are right for you?
We organise nearly 5,000 Pantone Colours into two Systems, one for print and packaging and the other for product design.
Why? Each system is designed to feature market-relevant colours. Fashion designers need more whites, blacks and neutrals in their palette, while print and packaging designers need colours that will POP on shelf.
The appearance of colour can change based on the material on which it is produced. In fact, some colours are not achievable at all on a certain material. That’s why we organise colours into two systems – to ensure that the colours 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 colour system uses unique coding?
When a C or U follows the colour 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 colours to become inaccurate and you could be missing the latest market and trend-driven colours. How many colours 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 colour can increase brand recognition by up to 87%.
In product development, the right colour 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 colour can sell products and ideas more effectively by 50-85%.
But, choosing the right colour is only the beginning. Keeping that colour consistent presents multiple challenges that can be solved through Pantone Colour Systems.
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