Using Pantone for colour matching.
Think Print uses Pantone Solid Coated (C) reference guides, RGB codes and HEX codes to match ink colours to clients artworks.
About Pantone
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a standardised method of specifying colours. It’s used across the world and in most design and application industries, and companies. It allows manufacturers and clients in different locations to ensure a colour match, without ever being physically next to each other, by calling a reference code.
When we use Pantone for screen printing we have a more accurate way of matching the ink colour to the colours in the clients artwork.
It is an important factor for consistency across production, particularly if porduction is done at different times, and with different applications. For example, silkscreen printing, embroidery and textile dying all requiring the same colour shade. If your company has a specific colour, particularly for the logo, being able to match this company colour to the printing ink is essential.
Pantone coated or uncoated for screen printing.
Pantone charts come in a variety of types. For silkscreen printing it is best to use the Pantone solid uncoated (U) and Pantone solid coated (C) reference cards. Pantone Coated has a shine and a more saturated look, whereas Pantone Uncoated colours are duller, more matt in appearance. Due to this colour swatches look different, and exhibit different tones when the two are compared.
Both are useful for screen printing purposes, although Pantone Coated guides are generally favoured by Think Print, as they offer a closer representation of plastisol ink.
Pantone colour codes when screen printing.
The Pantone Matching System allows each person to agree on a specific colour, or set of colours. And that both customer and printer are looking at the same colour on the same Pantone chart.
The Pantone code is given along with the image, and once the ink is mixed, a test print is produced in order to check the ink colour to the Pantone reference. Inks, once printed can change hue depending on the textile, the textile colour, and the base ink used.
Alternative approaches to Pantone.
Pantone books are known to be expensive, but there are some options when a customer does not have access to one. We recommend you send us an example of the shade you want. For example:
- A previously printed garment
- A refence from a magazine
- Marketing with your business branding (a flyer, packaging etc)
- An RGB or HEX (#) code from the computer programme you used to create the image
Here is where you can find the RGB or HEX codes.
Other factors to consider with Pantone.
One of which is the ink itself. With greater volumes, specialised ink mixing machines may be used to accurately match the ink with the Pantone colour code. Smaller productions mean the silkscreen printers mix the inks themselves, using their expert eye and best guess. Variations in shades can naturally occur.
Different screen printing methods can be unpredictable. Discharge printing is a good example where the dyes of the base T-shirt is not always consistent.
Different bases can be unpredictable. T-shirts, hoodies and accessories all use different yarns, and silkscreen printing across a variety of products in the capsule commands a different approach. However our expert printers take this into account.
High quality base T-shirts vs. low quality has a profound effect on silkscreen printing, colour management, and result.
Base printing with varnish or solid colour changes the mood of the surface ink. A solid white underprint makes the coloured top layer mush brighter.
Because books can fade with age and therefore become less reliable. It is preferred to maintain the Pantone reference cards, keeping them relatively current and in good condition.
If you have any questions about using Pantone colour guides, how it works, or what you need to do, we are here to help.