Pantone color

Pantone LLC, 2011. Pantone Color Fabric Products. Pantone. Available at http //www.pantone. com/pages/pantone/category.aspx ca=4 (accessed 10.11.11). 

For the visual assessment of a color, a reference sample is needed. Systems of physical color samples are available for reference purposes, such as the Munsell system, DIN color chart. Natural Color System and the more customized RAL and Pantone color charts. The ISO grey scale is defined for the visual assessment of color differences and used for the specification of color tolerances for quality control purposes. 

Pantone Color Formula Guide 1000, Pantone, Inc., Carlstadt, NJ, 1991. 

Is the color standard based on the same material as the desired match demands The color match becomes very difficult if the color standard is based in a plastic material that is different from the desired match plastic. A Pantone standard, an opaque painted paper, is still frequently used as a color standard. However, a Pantone paper standard does not address the issues of opacity, gloss, and texture, which are essential to color matching plastic materials. Similarly, painted metal color standards possess gloss levels that often exceed the range capable for most polymers. This factor also further complicates a visual color match in plastic materials with lower gloss. Thus, if possible, secure the color standard in the same material that the match is desired. 

The color lab is usually divided into two parts color development and quality control. The color development group works closely with the sales and marketing departments. Anything, from a competitive color concentrate to bottles, films, or injection-molded parts, can be submitted to the lab for color-matching. Pantone books or chips and other color standards are also used to specify or select targets. Specifications regarding resin, letdown ratios, weatherfastness, and price are typically submitted with the target. 

FIGURE 4.93 Fire extinguisher identification. Recommended colors per PMS (Pantone Matching System) green—Basic Green, red—192 Red, blue— Process Blue, yellow—Basic Yellow. From NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, Quincy, Mass., 1998). 

NOTE Recommended colors, per PMS (Pantone Matching System) ... 

Another widely used compilation of colors is that available from the Pantone Co. It is not a systematic ordering of color but a collection of colors used as a reference guide. It is described as an accurate method for the selection, presentation, specification, com-mimication, reproduction, matching and control of color [17]. Pantone specifications are often used in the printing, publishing, and packaging industries. 

In terms of context, one wonders if the same order of color preference would be obtained for cars, toys, appliances, or detergents. Although it is apparent that marketing firms and major manufacturers, including those in the detergent industry, have done research on color preferences, most of this information is not publicly accessible. However, Pantone, Inc. has published a compilation of color profiles (i.e., the color likes and dislikes of various types of personalities) [20]. ... 

Pantone, Inc. Home Page, http //38.219.133.4/pantone (accessed Dec. 1997), All About Color. 

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