What is Pantone Matching?
Unsure of what Pantone matching means and how you can use it when designing your branded merchandise, clothing and print? We’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’ll talk you through who Pantone is and what matching Pantone colours can mean for your brand.
Pantone is a world-renowned authority on colour. They produce a standardised Pantone Matching System that allows you to reproduce precise colours on most kinds of equipment.
Pantone started out as a small print business in New Jersey in the 1950s and has since become widely recognised for their industry-specific colour guides and their “Colour of the Year” that we all wait for with bated breath here at Streamline each December. Pantone created their standardised colour matching system in the 60s utilising the Pantone numbering system for identifying colours. The Pantone Matching System (PMS) now identifies nearly 5,000 different shades.
Controlling your Colour
Imagine your branded merchandise is being printed by one supplier, but your packaging by another. How would you ensure your products were all the right shade? Pantone matching allows for a consistent colour thanks to their numbering system. In the PMS, entire sheets can be devoted to a single colour in various subtle shades and variations. Several of these sheets can be put together into a “fan”. They are coded by numbers and allow print designers, wherever they are, to standardise their printing and match colours accordingly. Creating the perfect shade, just for you.
It is now standard practice to use Pantone’s colour codes across a wide range of products and industries from graphic design to fashion, product design, to printing. At Streamline it allows us to ensure we are getting your branded merchandise or bespoke garments absolutely spot on for your brand.
Not every product allows for Pantone Matching, but those that do make for a unique and truly on-brand collection or branded products. Designed with your business in mind.
Pantone Match your Branded Merchandise
From tote bags to keyrings to staff uniforms, Streamline can help source the perfect merchandise and clothing for your brand. From Pantone matched tote bags that can be carried wherever your target might go to a product that is fast becoming a classic in the world of branded merchandise, the thermal bottle. A Pantone matchable gift your team or clients will use time and time again.
Clothing and Merchandise Products that can easily be Pantone Matched include:
- Notebooks
- Pens
- Thermal Bottles
- Mugs
- Rope Handles Carrier Bags
- Lanyards
- Umbrellas
- Polo shirts
- Soft Shell Jackets
- Sweatshirts
- Packaging
If the standard colours you’re being offered don’t match well with your corporate brand, be sure to ask your provider what products can be Pantone matched.
Pantone provides a universal language of colour and is the definitive standard for brands and producers of branded products.
Matching Pantone Colours in Clothing
In the world of clothing, Pantone Matching can be the difference between colour uniformity across your clothing collection and a mismatched and unprofessional look. From Pantone matched stitching to fabric and buttons, we can personalise garments to your brand colours so you stand out for the right reasons.
Garments and thread for embroidery colours are not always available to be matched to a Pantone colour so you may be looking for a supplier to find you the closest match shade. If you have a large volume requirement, say over 500 pieces then you’ll be able to ask for the fabric to be dyed to match most available Pantone colours – for embroidery you’ll need to ask for the nearest thread colours. There are thousands available though, so for most brands, you’ll be just fine! Just tell your supplier your corporate colour and go from there.
Don’t forget the power of contrast with garments; sometimes we find manual operatives are better with a neutral or dark coloured garment to avoid visible soiling while they are at their work. As an alternative, for example, you can add coloured panels or a Pantone matched neck label to make clear which brand the garment represents.
Pantone matching opens up a whole realm of possibility when it comes to getting your brand’s branded merchandise, clothing and print perfect and ‘on brand’. There’s no guesswork and it’s as precise as you could hope for.
If you’re interested in Pantone Matching your branded merchandise and clothing to your own brand colours, arrange a call with one of our team of branding experts today.