Pantone is a color-matching system used in printing. Pantone packaging refers to packaging printed with specific Pantone colors to ensure color accuracy and consistency.
Pantone packaging refers to the use of the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a standardized color reproduction system widely used in the printing industry. By utilizing specific Pantone colors, brands can achieve a high level of color accuracy and consistency across their packaging materials. This is particularly important for maintaining brand identity and ensuring that logos, graphics, and other design elements are represented in true, vibrant colors, regardless of where or how they are printed. The use of Pantone colors in packaging is synonymous with quality and precision, making it a preferred choice for brands seeking to make a lasting impression through their packaging.
What are Pantone C and Pantone U?
Pantone C refers to Pantone colors for coated paper whereas Pantone U refers to Pantone colors for uncoated paper. Coating on paper often enhances ink absorption thus allowing colors to appear more vibrant and sharper. For coated paper, think textbooks, whereas for uncoated paper, think paperback novels. With paperback, colors can come out duller as they are not as effective as absorbing the ink.
Limitations of Pantone Colors
- Colors in Pantone color books can be updated annually, leading to unexpected colors during production. To ensure that you receive the exact color you’re seeking, ensure you’re using the most up-to-date color book. If you’re still wary, you may also consider getting a press proof or Pantone color chip to verify.
- Printing Pantone directly on kraft materials can result in inconsistent color. Kraft paper is uncoated brown paper. Therefore in order to print accurate Pantone colors, multiple layers of white ink must be layered first. This process can cause significant increases in production costs.
- Pantone colors refer to a specific printed color when printed. Since computers use the RGB color system that relies on being backlit and general color printing relies on using CMYK process colors, Pantone colors on screen will appear different on screen and in real life. Therefore, to get an accurate representation, you should consider either referencing the Pantone color book or getting a press proof or Pantone color chip. Learn more about the difference between PMS, CMYK and RGB here or learn about the difference between process colors and spot colors here.
- Most of the time, you will only be able to go to production with 2 Pantone colors. Most production facilities host 6 towers therefore, they are only able to print 6 colors of ink with 4 being used for cyan, magenta, yellow and black to support CMYK print. If you have a wide array of colors that do not all need to be a specific color, consider using CMYK print and specify one or two Pantone colors that you need accurate. If you require more than two Pantone colors, you may need to use more advanced facilities, which can cause increases in production costs.