How to Find Your Perfect PMS Color

What is a PMS Color?

Pantone is a company that provides a universal language of color for brands and manufacturers. PMS (Pantone Matching System) is the color system that helps in color matching. It uses the Pantone numbering system consisting of 3-4 digits to identify colors.

Common Color Value Systems

If the brand guide for your organization does not contain specific PMS numbers, it will likely include Hex, CMYK, or RGB values to denote the company colors.

• HEX: A hex code is a hashtag symbol (#) followed by a 6 digit number to identify a specific color. Most often used on the web in HTML and CSS.
• CMYK: CMYK refers to the amount of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) found in a color. This value is used in printing digitally to create full color graphics, images, and photos.
• RGB: RGB is the amount of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) found in a particular color. This color mode is used on digital screens like computer monitors, TVs and phones.

Converting Your Company's Brand Colors to PMS

How to Convert a Color to PMS in Photoshop in 4 Steps:

1. Use the eye dropper to select your color

2. Open up the color picker

3. Click on Color Libraries

4. Choose PANTONE SOLID COATED

How to Convert a Color to PMS in Illustrator in 5 Steps:

1. Select your color on the canvas

2. Navigate to Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork

3. Click Advanced Options

4. Click on the icon in the lower right (This limits the color group to colors in a swatch library)

5. Choose Color books > Pantone+ Solid Coated

If you do not have Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, there are many online tools available to help! Here are a few free online color converters to check out:

• https://colors.dopely.top/color-converter
• https://codebeautify.org/hex-to-pantone-converter
• https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/pms

(Executive Advertising is not affiliated with the above websites or tools.)

PMS for Your Promotional Product’s Imprint Color

When printing your logo on a promotional item, factories will require a PMS color(s) for common printing processes, like screen printing and heat transfer. A PMS color is not required for full color digital printing. Choosing a PMS Color Match for the imprint on your promotional products is ideal for matching the exact color of your company's logo. This will also create brand consistency when purchasing multiple promotional products. 

If you do not have a specific PMS color to use, our artists at Executive Advertising will be able to convert any color to the closet PMS value for your order! Keep in mind that colors cannot always be matched 100% of the time. We will get as close as possible, however we cannot always guarantee an EXACT match. Also, for our customized promotional products, only standard Solid Coated Colors can be PMS matched.

What is the pantone color of the year for 2022? FIND OUT HERE!