Pantone is a color matching system used in a variety of industries, including printing, fashion, and automotive. The Pantone system allows for accurate color reproduction, whether it be for a single color print or for full color printing. In the book printing industry, Pantone is often used to match colors between different print runs, or to ensure that colors match across different print vendors.
Pantone colors are identified by a code, which is typically a letter and number combination. For example, the code for the color black is Pantone 100. Each Pantone color has a specific formula that is used to create the color, and this formula is kept confidential by Pantone. When a printer needs to produce a color that matches a Pantone color, they will typically use the Pantone Matching System (PMS), which is a set of ink colors that can be mixed to create the desired color.
Pantone colors are created by mixing different proportions of magenta, yellow, and cyan inks. These inks are then printed on a white background and the resulting color is compared to a Pantone swatch book. The book contains hundreds of different colors, each with a unique code.
When a printer is using the Pantone system, they will specify the colors by their code number. This ensures that the colors are consistent from one print job to the next.
Pantone colors can be printed on a variety of different paper types, including coated and uncoated paper. Coated paper is generally used for brighter colors, as it provides a more vibrant color result. Uncoated paper is typically used for more muted colors, or for colors that are meant to look more natural.
Pantone is an extremely important part of the book printing process, as it is responsible for ensuring that colors are consistent and accurate across all copies of a book. Without Pantone, it would be very difficult to produce high-quality, consistent books.