Whether you’re printing marketing materials or designing for the web, understanding how different color systems work and how to use them is essential.
Designers and marketers primarily work with three systems: Pantone (PMS), CMYK, and RGB/HEX. Each plays a vital role in keeping your brand’s colors looking consistent across platforms.
PMS (Pantone® Matching System)
Pantone remains the global standard for color accuracy in print. PMS colors are pre-mixed inks used for precise color reproduction, often in offset printing. They’re ideal for logos or branded materials that need to match perfectly every time. Pantone’s Formula Guide and Color Bridge tools are essential for designers and printers alike.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
CMYK is the go-to system for full-color print jobs like brochures, posters, and magazines. It works by layering dots of the four ink colors to simulate a wide range of hues. However, CMYK can struggle to replicate the vibrancy of certain PMS shades—especially bright oranges, neons, and metallics—so adjustments may be necessary.
RGB & HEX
RGB is used for anything digital—websites, apps, digital ads, and video. It combines red, green, and blue light to create vibrant on-screen colors. HEX codes, a shorthand for RGB values, are commonly used in web design and CSS. Most design tools now auto-generate HEX values when you select a color in RGB mode.
Color Matching Across Platforms
To maintain consistency, your brand guide should include PMS, CMYK, RGB, and HEX values for each brand color. This ensures everyone from designers, printers and developers is working from the same palette.
Use Pantone Color Bridge to find the best process color (CMYK) equivalent for each PMS color, and view how it compares side by side. This is helpful when converting colors for print and digital use. Keep in mind that what looks great on screen may appear duller in print if not properly converted.
Pro Tip: With this in mind, always preview your colors in their final format (screen, print, coated/uncoated paper, etc.) to confirm consistency before full production.
