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What Is PMS Color?

The Pantone Matching System, otherwise known as PMS, is a color system used in printing and design. It allows designers and manufacturers to specify colors for consistent reproduction using a system of codes. By using PMS codes, businesses can ensure that a chosen color looks the same regardless of the printing method or materials used. Let’s take a closer look at what PMS color is, how it works, and its applications.

A colorful fan of Pantone color swatches, showing a rainbow of shades. The swatches have numbers on them, and one has the Pantone logo.A colorful fan of Pantone color swatches, showing a rainbow of shades. The swatches have numbers on them, and one has the Pantone logo.

Understanding Pantone Matching System (PMS) Color Code

PMS colors are custom-mixed ink colors that are used when particular colors are needed, such as for a company logo. PMS colors are assigned unique numbers, allowing color choices to be communicated clearly. There are over 1,800 different colors in the Pantone Matching System including specialty colors such as metallics, pastels, and neons. The ability to choose from such a wide range of colors is the main reason that PMS is utilized across various industries.

PMS, CMYK, and RGB: What’s the Difference?

Similar to PMS, CMYK and RGB are both color models. The difference between them lies in their respective applications.

PMS

The Pantone Matching System is commonly used for logos, packaging, and other materials that need precise color matching. Customers can see and pick colors using PMS color charts and swatch books, similar to choosing paint colors at a hardware store. PMS colors are mixed before being applied to a surface, which creates a consistent appearance.

A fan of PMS color cards showing many different shades in gradients, from reds and oranges to greens and purples. Each card has a stripe of colors that blend from light to dark.A fan of PMS color cards showing many different shades in gradients, from reds and oranges to greens and purples. Each card has a stripe of colors that blend from light to dark.
A fan of PMS color cards showing many different shades in gradients, from reds and oranges to greens and purples. Each card has a stripe of colors that blend from light to dark.A fan of PMS color cards showing many different shades in gradients, from reds and oranges to greens and purples. Each card has a stripe of colors that blend from light to dark.

CMYK

The CMYK color model is ideal for printing. In this model, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are combined during printing to produce a wide range of colors. CMYK uses physical pigments, so the more ink added, the darker the color becomes. The color is applied in a pattern of tiny dots. CMYK is standard for anything from business cards to brochures.

Three overlapping circles in cyan, magenta, and yellow show how colors mix in the CMYK color model. Where the circles overlap, you see red, green, blue, and black.Three overlapping circles in cyan, magenta, and yellow show how colors mix in the CMYK color model. Where the circles overlap, you see red, green, blue, and black.
Three overlapping circles in cyan, magenta, and yellow show how colors mix in the CMYK color model. Where the circles overlap, you see red, green, blue, and black.Three overlapping circles in cyan, magenta, and yellow show how colors mix in the CMYK color model. Where the circles overlap, you see red, green, blue, and black.

RGB

The RGB color model creates colors by adding different amounts of red, green, and blue light. This model is designed for screens, tablets, smartphones, and other digital devices. This makes the RGB model ideal for anything viewed on a screen, such as digital advertisements, websites, or apps. An important aspect of the RGB model is hex colors, a notion used to indicate the blend of red, green, and blue in a color. This is achieved by using six-digit combinations of numbers (0-9) and letters (A-F), preceded by a hashtag. These digits indicate the intensity of red, green, and blue light, respectively.

Three overlapping circles in red, green, and blue show how colors mix in the RGB color model. Where they overlap, you see cyan, magenta, yellow, and white in the center.Three overlapping circles in red, green, and blue show how colors mix in the RGB color model. Where they overlap, you see cyan, magenta, yellow, and white in the center.
Three overlapping circles in red, green, and blue show how colors mix in the RGB color model. Where they overlap, you see cyan, magenta, yellow, and white in the center.Three overlapping circles in red, green, and blue show how colors mix in the RGB color model. Where they overlap, you see cyan, magenta, yellow, and white in the center.

Benefits of Using PMS

Using PMS offers several different benefits. The greatest advantage of using PMS is that the color reproduction will be identical every time you print. This also means that the chances for unintentional color variations and costly reprints is reduced significantly. Aside from consistent colors, PMS can support fine text and patterns without smudging or distorting. Additionally, PMS offers faster printing for single-color print jobs by reducing the number of ink layers and setup time required.

Role of PMS in Packaging Products

PMS plays an important role in packaging, impacting color consistency, brand identity, print quality, or versatility.

Role of PMS in Packaging Products

PMS plays an important role in packaging, impacting color consistency, brand identity, print quality, or versatility.

Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.

Color Consistency

Businesses often use PMS colors for product packaging that require precise color matching. PMS colors ensure that packaging looks the same on the shelf as it did in the design. This is important in scenarios where color matching is important such as matching text to cap color, consistency in different batches of orders, retail display coordination, and more.

Color Consistency

Businesses often use PMS colors for product packaging that require precise color matching. PMS colors ensure that packaging looks the same on the shelf as it did in the design. This is important in scenarios where color matching is important such as matching text to cap color, consistency in different batches of orders, retail display coordination, and more.

Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.

Brand Identity

Since PMS colors maintain consistent color across various types of packaging, businesses can use it to make their products instantly recognizable. Many companies utilize PMS colors for branding, particularly for logos and product packaging to ensure color consistency. Examples of this include Tiffany & Co. with Tiffany Blue (PMS 1837) and Barbie with Barbie Pink (PMS 219C). Other companies that rely on PMS colors include McDonald’s with McDonald’s Red and John Deere with John Deere Green.

Brand Identity

Since PMS colors maintain consistent color across various types of packaging, businesses can use it to make their products instantly recognizable. Many companies utilize PMS colors for branding, particularly for logos and product packaging to ensure color consistency. Examples of this include Tiffany & Co. with Tiffany Blue (PMS 1837) and Barbie with Barbie Pink (PMS 219C). Other companies that rely on PMS colors include McDonald’s with McDonald’s Red and John Deere with John Deere Green.

Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.

Print Quality

When printing with the PMS system, the ink is pre-mixed and provides vibrant hues which is often difficult to achieve with standard CMYK printing. PMS is ideal for high-quality packaging, where accurate and vibrant colors are essential. While a special printer is not required to print PMS colors, not all printers can accurately replicate them. When using PMS colors, it is recommended to use a Pantone-calibrated printer. The calibration process maps how a printer renders specific PMS colors, taking into account the printer’s ink, color engine, driver, and paper stock used.

Print Quality

When printing with the PMS system, the ink is pre-mixed and provides vibrant hues which is often difficult to achieve with standard CMYK printing. PMS is ideal for high-quality packaging, where accurate and vibrant colors are essential. While a special printer is not required to print PMS colors, not all printers can accurately replicate them. When using PMS colors, it is recommended to use a Pantone-calibrated printer. The calibration process maps how a printer renders specific PMS colors, taking into account the printer’s ink, color engine, driver, and paper stock used.

Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.Two overlapping triangles form a right-pointing arrow.

Versatility

PMS can be used for packaging across various industries such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more. Since each industry is unique and has their own specific packaging requirements, PMS can be used to ensure colors meet both aesthetic and functional needs.

Versatility

PMS can be used for packaging across various industries such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more. Since each industry is unique and has their own specific packaging requirements, PMS can be used to ensure colors meet both aesthetic and functional needs.

Why The Cary Company?

At The Cary Company, we prioritize providing you with comprehensive knowledge about your products. In addition to exploring questions like, “What Is PMS Color Code?”, we create product descriptions that identify the intended applications of every product. Browse our versatile selection now or explore industry-specific categories! 

Personalize your containers with your logo for enhanced brand recognition. Our Cary Design Team can help your labeling and decorating needs. Can’t find a specific container? Contact one of our product specialists available to answer any questions and recommend products for you. Give us a call at 630-629-6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com.

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