When color accuracy really matters – like for logos, branding, or product packaging – there’s one system that delivers unmatched consistency: Pantone, also known as PMS (Pantone Matching System).
If you’ve ever wondered why your logo looks slightly different on a t-shirt versus a business card, or why your branded packaging doesn’t match your brochure – this article is for you.
What Is Pantone?
Pantone is a standardized color matching system used across the printing and design industries. Each color in the Pantone library is mixed using a precise formula, then assigned a unique number (like PMS 186 C).
Think of it like mixing paint:
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CMYK tries to blend colors to get close.
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Pantone uses exact ink formulas to hit the mark every time.
This makes Pantone the gold standard for exact color reproduction.
When Should You Use Pantone?
Pantone is ideal for:
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Logos and brand colors
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High-end packaging
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Corporate identity materials
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Projects where color consistency is non-negotiable
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Specialty printing like foil, metallics, or fluorescent inks
If you’re printing your logo across multiple materials (business cards, signage, packaging), Pantone helps ensure the red is always the same red – and not “close enough.”
How It Works (Without Getting Too Technical)
While CMYK prints by layering four inks, Pantone colors are pre-mixed, like custom paint. That means:
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No blending on press.
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No variation between printers.
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No guessing.
A Pantone color printed in New Jersey will match the same color printed in California – or overseas. That level of consistency is especially important for businesses that rely on strong, recognizable branding.
Why Designers Combine Pantone + CMYK
In many cases, you’ll use CMYK for full-color images and Pantone for spot-color branding – especially in brochures, packaging, or signage.
This approach keeps costs manageable while still protecting your brand identity. It’s common in packaging design, where your logo or key brand elements must stand out consistently, while background images can print in standard CMYK.
Is Pantone More Expensive?
Yes – but for good reason.
Pantone requires:
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A custom-mixed ink
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A dedicated spot color plate on press
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Additional setup by the printer
That adds cost, especially for small print runs. But if you’re ordering in volume – or color consistency is critical – it’s an investment worth making.
A Word of Advice
Not all printers offer Pantone spot color printing. And not all designers know when it’s worth using.
That’s where I come in. I’ll help you weigh:
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The value of color consistency
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The scale of your print project
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Your brand’s visibility and integrity across formats
Sometimes Pantone is essential. Sometimes CMYK will do the job. Knowing the difference is what sets a print-savvy designer apart.
Need a Designer Who Understands PMS?
I work with clients throughout Bergen County and New Jersey to create packaging, branding, and promotional materials that stay true to your vision – across every platform and print surface.
Call or text 201.753.1677
Let’s make sure your colors stay consistent, sharp, and on-brand.