What Are Pantone Colors?
Pantone colors are standardized colors used in printing, design, and manufacturing to ensure consistency across different materials and industries. The Pantone Matching System (PMS) assigns each color a unique code (e.g., Pantone 186 C) so that the same color appears identical no matter where or how it’s printed.
Why Use Pantone Colors?
- Color Accuracy – Ensures the same color appears correctly on different printers, screens, and materials.
- Spot Colors – Unlike CMYK (which mixes inks during printing), Pantone colors are pre-mixed for solid, vibrant colors.
- Brand Consistency – Many brands (like Coca-Cola red or Starbucks green) use Pantone colors to maintain their exact brand identity.
Types of Pantone Colors
Pantone offers several color libraries:
- Solid Colors (Spot Colors) – The most common, used in branding and packaging. Examples:
- Pantone 186 C (red)
- Pantone 300 C (blue)
- CMYK Process Colors – Simulated Pantone colors using CMYK printing.
- Metallics, Pastels & Neons – Specialty Pantone colors for unique effects.
How Do Pantone Colors Compare to CMYK/RGB?
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) – Used in printing, but color varies depending on printer settings.
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue) – Used for screens, but not reliable for print.
- Pantone Colors – Always consistent and reliable across different print materials.
If you’re designing for print, using Pantone colors ensures accuracy—especially for logos, branding, and packaging.
Adobe & Pantone Licensing Issue – What Happened?
In November 2022, Adobe removed most Pantone color libraries from Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign due to a licensing dispute with Pantone. This means that Pantone colors are no longer included for free in Adobe software.
Why Did This Happen?
- Pantone changed its licensing model – They now require a paid subscription for access to their full color library.
- Adobe and Pantone couldn’t reach a new agreement to keep the colors included for free.
- Adobe removed Pantone color books from their software updates starting in Illustrator 2022 (v26.0) and Photoshop 2022 (v23.0).
What Does This Mean for You?
- If you updated Adobe CC after 2022, Pantone colors may be missing.
- Old files with Pantone colors might now show colors as black instead of their original swatch.
- To use Pantone colors, you now need to use the Pantone Connect plugin, which requires a paid subscription for full access.
How to Get Pantone Colors in Adobe Apps Now?
1. Free Workarounds (Without Paying for Pantone Connect)
- Use Pantone’s free online color finder to get CMYK, RGB, and HEX values:
👉 Pantone Color Finder - Use old Pantone libraries from older Illustrator versions if you still have them.
- Convert CMYK to the closest Pantone using Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork in Illustrator.
2. Paid Solution – Pantone Connect Plugin
- Pantone’s Official Tool: Pantone Connect
- Free version = limited access.
- Full access requires a paid subscription ($7.99/month or $59.99/year).
Should You Pay for Pantone Connect?
💰 Pay if:
✔ You work in branding, packaging, or print and need 100% color accuracy.
✔ You collaborate with manufacturers who require Pantone spot colors.
🚫 Skip if:
❌ You mainly work in digital design or CMYK printing, where Pantone isn’t needed.
❌ You’re fine using CMYK or HEX alternatives instead of spot colors.