For anyone who’s been around the printing industry for awhile, hearing a question like “What PMS number are we using?” does not sound like a question about the severity of post menstrual syndrome. Instead, it’s understood as a question about what spot ink color or process color is to be used/matched in a print project.
What does PMS mean?
PMS, in the printing industry, means Pantone Matching System.
What is the Pantone Matching System?
Pantone, a company headquartered in New Jersey, defined, developed and standardized (in the late 50s and early 60s) a system to insure ink color consistency regardless of where a piece is printed. The Pantone Matching System enables printers to match a standardized list of colors by mixing base ink colors (e.g., red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, and black) in specific percentages. Pantone also defined and standardized a list of process (or CMYK) colors that enable precise color matching when printing 4-color process items.
How are Pantone Colors selected?
Pantone produces and publishes on an annual basis a collection of color-swatch guides (similar to paint color swatches found in hardware stores and paint retailers) that assign a number to each designated color. Professional graphic design software, like the Adobe Creative Design suite of products (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.) enable designers to select and designate Pantone colors during the design process. Because a computer monitor can’t precisely replicate how colors will appear when printed, the Pantone color swatch guides gives designers a way to check and insure their color choices are optimal.
Are Pantone Colors important?
Pantone colors are particularly useful and important for companies and organizations in maintaining a consistent brand identity. Logos and taglines are often assigned a unique or specific Pantone color which, when used consistently across all marketing materials, becomes associated with and reinforces a company/organization’s identity. Plus, by using Pantone colors, a piece printed in South Carolina will look the same as one printed in California.
If you have any questions about pantone colors, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
