How to Use the Pantone Color Guide

Understanding the Pantone Color Guide (Beyond the Basics)

Pantone Color Guides are important tools for all designers, printers, and manufacturers. The Pantone Colour Matching System is a standard for color matching, mixing 15 pigment inks (including black and white) to form more than 1,100 spot colors.

Coated vs Uncoated: Still Critical in 2026

• Coated (C): Glossy or smooth surfaces such as laminated packaging, coated paper, some plastics

• Uncoated (U): Matte paper, cardboard, kraft packaging, some textiles

The same Pantone number will appear different depending on the surface. This distinction becomes even more important as brands increasingly use recycled and textured materials.

Why Physical Guides Matter More Than Ever

Digital swatches are useful for early concepts, but final approvals should always rely on:

• Physical Pantone books

• Real lighting conditions

• Material-specific samples

This is especially important when producing promotional products across multiple factories or countries.

Key Things to Check When Evaluating Pantone Colors

We have a number of clients who want their promotional products Pantone-matched to ensure colour consistency. Since Pantone is an internationally recognized standard, we can be confident that spot colors quoted worldwide are the same. This standard helps all clients and suppliers working with colors reduce errors.

For each Pantone spot color, a mixing formula is shown as percentages. This helps factories determine the amount of dye to use to achieve the specified Pantone color.

There are a few steps to note before evaluating colours in the Pantone Guides, with reference to the Pantone Plus Series Guide.

1. Check your lighting conditions

Always review Pantone colors under neutral lighting. Natural daylight or consistent white lighting gives a more accurate view of tone and saturation. Avoid making color decisions under warm office lights, as this often leads to mismatches later

2. Use the Pantone index for quick searches

The index helps you locate colors efficiently, especially when working with large palettes or comparing similar shades. It’s a practical way to narrow down options before reviewing swatches in detail.

If you already have a Pantone number, make use of the index at the end of the Pantone Plus Series Guide to find the right color. Otherwise, you can search for the color by flipping through the guide arranged in chromatic order.

3. Confirm whether Coated or Uncoated is appropriate

The same Pantone color can look very different depending on the surface finish. Use Coated references for glossy or smooth surfaces, and Uncoated references for matte paper, cardboard, or textured materials. Choosing the correct version early prevents confusion during production.

Depending on the product type you are looking at, we generally refer to the Coated guide. The basic difference between these two is the colors that appear on the two types of paper: one often on glossy surfaces, the other on paper we commonly use, e.g., printing paper and letterheads. Coated surfaces often absorb less ink but retain ink well.

The difference between a coated and an uncoated can be big.

Although made with the same mixing formula, the coated and uncoated samples can differ in color.

Note: Online Pantone Guides may only be used for brief reference and not for actual color evaluation. Every display may show different color shades of the same Pantone color.

How to Use Pantone Strategically for Brand Consistency

1. Start with Color at the Concept Stage

In 2026, color decisions work best when they happen early, not as a final design detail.

Strong brands align with Pantone colors:

• Before product designs are finalised

• Before packaging, dielines are approved

• Before campaign visuals are locked

This early agreement gives everyone a shared reference from the start. It reduces unnecessary revisions, shortens development timelines, and avoids last-minute color changes that often compromise the final result.

2. Choose Colors Based on Materials, Not Just Branding

A Pantone color may look perfect on paper, but behave very differently on other materials.

Common examples include:

• Silicone absorbing color and appearing duller

• Metal reflecting light and shifting tone

• Fabric softening saturation

• Recycled plastics introduce variation

Pantone helps teams compare and evaluate colors while accounting for material differences. By considering material behaviour early, brands can select colors that perform better in production, not just in design files.

3. Share Pantone Codes Clearly with Suppliers

Pantone only works when it’s communicated clearly and consistently.

When sharing color details with factories, always include:

• The exact Pantone number

• Coated or Uncoated reference

• Intended material

• Surface finish (matte, gloss, soft-touch, textured)

Clear specifications reduce interpretation errors and help suppliers produce samples that match expectations. This step alone can significantly cut down on sampling rounds and production delays.

Quick Reference: When to Use Pantone

Related Read:

In the colour matching process, pigments, dyes, and special effect hues are combined to achieve a specified colour in a specific material.

Imprint color refers to the specific colors used for printing on promotional products with your brand logo, design, or message.

Final Perspective: Pantone as a Business Tool

In 2026, Pantone is no longer just about choosing colours that look good. It supports:

• Faster decision-making

• Fewer production errors

• Stronger brand recognition

• Better collaboration across teams and suppliers

When colour decisions are approached strategically, aligned with materials, production processes, and campaign planning, brands are better equipped to deliver consistent, credible experiences across every physical touchpoint.

If you are planning branded merchandise, packaging, or marketing materials this year, working with a partner who understands both Pantone standards and real-world production can make a measurable difference.

At The ODM Group, we support brands from early colour planning through manufacturing, helping ensure Pantone decisions translate accurately across materials, products, and markets.

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