PMS Color Match

Frequently asked questions

What is PMS color matching?

Pantone Matching System (PMS) color matching means the printer mixes ink to your exact Pantone number instead of substituting the nearest stock color, so the merchandise in the field matches the logo in your brand guide. It is the difference between branded merchandise that looks like your brand and merch that almost does.

Which decoration methods can match a Pantone color exactly?

Exactly: spot-color print methods where each color is a separate premixed ink — screen print, pad print and heat transfer. Embroidery is matched to the nearest available thread shade rather than mixed to a Pantone number. Full-color (CMYK) processes such as digital print, sublimation, direct-to-garment and domed decals approximate Pantone colors as a process blend and cannot match them exactly. Laser engraving, debossing and embossing carry no ink at all, so color matching does not apply.

I do not know my Pantone number. What should I do?

Send us your logo file and we will identify the Pantone references in it for you. Vector artwork exported from your design software usually carries the exact color values; if you only have a JPG or PNG we will match the closest Pantone colors and confirm them with you on the digital proof before production.

Is there a charge for PMS color matching?

It depends on the product. Some manufacturers include Pantone (PMS) matching in the decoration at no added charge; most offer it as an option for an additional charge per matched color. Each product page states which applies, and when there is a charge it appears in the price breakdown as soon as you select a Pantone color in the configurator, so the total is visible before you order.