How to Make the Exact Pantone Color Match for Printing Job?

by Kevin Cook| in Printing Guide on March 18, 2021 4143 /

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Last Updated on: 7th April 2024, 06:11 pm

How to find perfect Pantone color matches? It is not as easy as it sounds and there is a lot of work. Many screen printers already know that Pantone is the world’s most popular color standard. The system is made up of catalogs of various color shades.

Each color shade has a unique number, which is also known as the color Pantone or Pantone Matching Scheme. With the aid of such a norm, a color can be specifically referred to and faults or errors are avoided.

For instance, the “lavender blue” of a customer could not fit the idea of a printer in the same color. But when both sides respond to Pantone 7451C, the probability increases that the color preference of the printer suits the color view of the consumer.

1. Separate Pantone Colors for accuracy:

Colors can also appear differently when printed on different substrates, allowing the color catalogs in Pantone to have the highest possible accuracy in coated (C), uncoated (U), and matt (M) guides.

The coated or uncoatable values are used in most printers to represent both glossy (coated) and matt, water-based (uncoated) inks.

2. Do not match color with that of a Computer Screen:

The color against an online color swatch isn’t significant.

When viewed on another device, the color of each computer monitor is very different. Invest instead in a new catalog of Pantone.

3. Color Matching System of Printers:

Customers are also asked to print their designs in those colors, otherwise known as web-to-print. Some clients, for example, ask for their logos or art to match those Pantone colors.

The printers can use a color matching system instead of having to mix and match ink colors. For example, International Coatings offers in its UltraMix line a number of color-matching systems, particularly the color mixer 7500 Series.

These systems comprise a number of “key” colors that generate a pretty close Pantone color simulation when combined according to a formula.

For the various color mixing systems of the company, the formulas are available on its website Formulation Calculator (iccultramix.com). The formulas are color-specific and do not work with other tin systems.

4. How to develop a Pantone Color Formula?

So how does the International Coatings color formula develop? The staff begins each year with a new Pantone book and analyze each color carefully.

It’s a daunting challenge considering that there are more than 1,867 colors. Pantone launches over 100 new colors per March to confuse matters further.

Besides the sheer amount of shades, the techs watch for changes in the shades of the Pantone. The color change with age or exposure to harsh lighting or working conditions in the Pantone booklets can not be seen on many display printers.

It is, therefore, necessary to store and exchange books periodically for new ones in a safe area.

5. Pantone standard Changes every year:

Furthermore, the “ordinary” colors of Pantone also do not fit precisely year after year. This can be attributed to the method of printing or the variations on the paper that the colors. However, colors from last year’s or a few years ago ‘s books could differ.

This can only be valid with certain colors, but can also be greatly modified. For the formulation of colors, the international team of coatings begins by “read” every color with a color spectrometer and giving a simple starting formula.

Weigh the Pantone color formulations by using the specific color mixing sequence for which they are formulated. The sample takes a ride in a centrifugal blender which homogenizes the blend

6. Create Drawdown of colors:

Then, the team produces a color “drawdown,” spreads and curates the mixed colors over the white and black Veneta, and sees them in the lightbox with the D65 light (daylight) and CWF lighting.

Only by using the color spectrometer is an exact match rarely made. To ensure that the Pantone chip suits as closely as possible each color must be changed. This involves an experienced color match and a detailed record of the changes made, including the new products and the specified quantities.

Another drawdown is carried out and analyzed after each examination.

7. Final test for Color Match:

When the team assumes the color of the Pantone is valid at a drawdown, they check the color match by a final test. In a single pass, a color match prints the mixed ink onto a 50/50 polyester/cotton white garment through a 110-mesh film.

If the correct match is verified, the color sample will search for metamerism to make sure the formula is stable (a change of the color look under various lighting sources).

Although the color spectrometer is a wonderful instrument, it does not detect color variations by beating the human eye. You can identify color by experienced color matches.

Conclusion:

Even if the device is as similar as possible to the Pantône swatch, an exact match can not always be written.

There are several variables, including the form of support, temperature and time curing, etc, which can influence the final color of the print. Say the customer beforehand or show him a test press for approval, better yet.

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