Design Federation

Love your PMS.

The Pantone Matching System or PMS is a brilliant way to make sure you are on the same page as your decorator.

There is nothing more embarrassing than handing a customer a garment that has been printed in the wrong blue.

“When you said light blue, you actually wanted more of a cloudy sky blue than a sunny day blue? Oh…”

Or the wrong shade of any colour. But there is no need to be embarrassed anymore!

The PMS has been around for over forty five years (longer than I have been around!) and is a trusted name in the world of colour. They boast having more than 3000 colours in their range and, although I still have trouble finding some colours, they do provide a stable and formidable foundation for colour matching.

They have, in my opinion, a beautiful and interesting website – which is particularly handy if you are unfamiliar with their terms and products. To check it out here.

For something a bit different, why not join myPantone, for free. It means you will be informed of updates and can access some basic but informative articles on colours.

Screen printers and most textile printers use the coated pantone colours, as when the ink is set (either by heat or time) the finished product resembles the coated colours most. This isn’t a requirement – an uncoated Pantone colour is far better then “a mid green”, but it will allow you to ensure your colours are reproduced as accurately as possible.

This said, not every decorator uses the PMS but most will be familiar with it.

If you don’t have the pleasure of having access to a Pantone book, you can download a copy in .pdf format. But be aware that the CMYK version (the one you will see in the .pdf) is actually slightly different from the real colour; if at all possible, get yourself a pantone book! Occasionally, second hand ones appear on eBay for next to nothing and there is no doubt the real thing is better than the virtual.

Go on – be a non-conformist and use your PMS to your advantage.

Yours In Print,
Jess van Netten

www.zulugraphics.com.au

Tags: design, Graphics, Pantone, PMS, Screen Printing