Pantone

Pantone Matching System (PMS ) is the name of an internationally widely used color system that is mainly used in the graphics and printing industry. It was founded in 1963, developed by Pantone LLC, an American company based in Carlstadt, New Jersey.

The PMS contains currently (as of 2014) 1,755 spot colors that can not be achieved in four-color printing for the most part, and assigns unique names these colors in the form of numbers. Behind it As with any color system, the intention which communication between all the creation of printed products to simplify involved, as the exchange of information using Pantone color numbers worldwide quickly and above all objective can (because regardless of individual color perception) done.

Pantone LLC

The company originally made Pantone color cards for cosmetics and fashion industries worldwide. Lawrence Herbert, who was employee of the company since 1956, bought the company in 1962 and began developing their own system for color selection and communication, which he described as Pantone Matching System in 1963 brought to the market. 2007 Pantone was acquired by X -Rite for 180 million U.S. dollars.

Pantone describes himself as a " market leader in color communication and technology for the graphic design industry, the publishing and printing industry and the textile and plastics industry segment. " According to information from Pantone is active in over 100 countries and has over 1,000 licensees. The company refers to the Pantone Matching System as its " flagship".

Pantone Matching System

The Pantone Matching System is based on 14 basic colors mixed in different color components to each other arising all the other colors of the system illustrated. The colors are presented in form of a fan ( the Pantone Formula Guide), and ring book form (Pantone Solid Chips Books), printed on three different types of paper: glossy coated (coated ), uncoated ( uncoated ) and coated matt ( matt ).

In Pantone subjects the color swatches shown are the respective formulations assigned, which simplifies the work in the printing practice. For printing on different paper types each have the same color formula will be used. Aim at the creation of the Pantone Matching System, it was not to achieve a uniform appearance of the colors, regardless of the substrate, but represent the perceived color of the defined Pantone colors depending on the substrate. Thus, the respective color impression can vary depending on the surface texture of the paper some vary considerable. For this reason, Pantone spot colors not only with a number code but always with the appropriate abbreviation for the paper you are using (C = Coated, U = Uncoated, M = matt ) defined.

The Pantone Matching System has established itself as a global standard in the design and printing industry. Other color systems, however, usually have a regionally limited distribution, such as the color system from HKS in Germany.

Pantone Plus Series

In May 2010, an updated version of the Pantone Matching System, the Pantone Plus Series brought to the market. These were in 2010, extended by a further 336 colors in the first step to 224 new colors later with a separate " 336 " supplementary subjects and first time in 2012 and expanded with the 50th Anniversary Edition to all 560 new colors. To mix the other 336 colors, the Pantone system has produced 14 basic colors have been added to four more on 18 basic colors: PANTONE Bright Red, Pink PANTONE PANTONE PANTONE Medium Purple and Dark Blue. This gradual extension to Pantone Plus colors and Pantone base colors was poorly communicated, so that at present two Pantone Plus compartments with various colors available are: The first " Pantone Plus " fan of 2010 and the " Pantone 50th Anniversary Edition" subjects of 2012 with all 560 new colors and the new four basic colors. Since that was not really perceived " 336 " supplement from dealers and customers is Pantone is many users do not realize that there are two Pantone Plus editions. Even manufacturers like Adobe or EFI complain a Pantone Plus support, but have only the incomplete Pantone Plus integrated subjects of 2010. All other 336 colors with the color name from 2001 to 2336, even in the Adobe Creative Cloud is currently unavailable. For this reason, Pantone released the PANTONE Color Manager software, an upgrade tool for the integration of 336 colors in current software environments such as Adobe CC range. It is supplied as download new Pantone Plus subjects.

The Pantone Plus compartments was also supplemented with a style similar to the UGRA metamerism ambient light indicator that would show the viewer the extent to which the ambient light of the standard illuminant D50 corresponds ( color temperature of 5000 K). The color temperature indicator as that of the UGRA not suitable for real review of D50, but it shows clearly that, for example, Light bulbs and neon tubes are not suitable for normal viewing of Pantone colors and proofs.

The structure of the Pantone fan has been completely revised: Was the classification until then in ascending order according to color codes, the individual color fields are now sorted by color. This certain colors are visually easier to find, which simplifies the handling of the gamut again in practice. Conversely, let defined Pantone color codes table of contents to find at the end of the fan. Existing color coding and color formulations have not changed compared to the Pantone Matching System. Only the 2012 derived from another " 336 " Pantone Plus colors require the above-mentioned additional 4 base colors for mixing.

Pantone spot colors and four-color printing

The Pantone Matching System expands the reach in the conventional four- color printing color space. In four-color printing the four primary colors cyan, magenta, yellow and key ( = black ) are used, and by the pressure of individual grid points in the primary colors arise all other color impressions. In contrast, Pantone Matching System colors are flat printed in full tones, the desired spot color will be used as a standalone ink. Most colors from the Pantone Matching System can not be represented in four-color printing; the colors that can be achieved with it but are marked in color fans with a special icon. Another symbol indicates that the color in question can be represented in the RGB color space.

Using Pantone spot colors

Companies use Pantone spot colors are often in the areas of branding, corporate design or corporate identity in order to give brand names and company logos to their high global recognition.

For example, use Puma 485 C, Lufthansa 1235 C, 3425 C and Starbucks with CAP 655 C colors from the Pantone Matching System as an identifying mark. For the Milka products of power - Foods Group even its own Pantone color was created: a spot color between two numbers of the Pantone color book. The Group has achieved in Geneva for this purple color brand at the German Patent Office and register with the European Patent Organisation, as well as on the registration at WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) global coverage of these color brand.

In addition, Pantone colors are also used to define colors of flags: it is used for the European flag as a shade of blue Pantone Reflex Blue and Pantone Yellow for the stars. Both are basic colors from the Pantone Matching System number and have no names, but are called by name.

Other color systems of Pantone

Since colors not only in the graphic arts play an important role, Pantone developed two other color systems over time. One of them is used for specification and communication of textile colors (Pantone Fashion Home), the other provides colors in the form of transparent and opaque plastic chips (Pantone Plastics). Both systems have their own color-coded to avoid confusion with the other systems.

In addition to these printed color references, the company offers Pantone to other accessories for color work, for this offer include software and equipment for rapid identification of colors and devices for monitor calibration.