Pantone Matching System (PMS)
The Pantone Matching System is a standardized color reproduction system used across printing, packaging, and design to ensure that colors appear consistent and accurate, no matter where, when, or how they’re printed.
Instead of relying on CMYK builds alone, PMS assigns each color a unique code (like PMS 186 C), allowing brands and printers to match colors precisely worldwide.
Why It Matters
- Guarantees brand color consistency across all print materials
- Eliminates ambiguity when communicating colors between designers, brands, and printers
- Reduces costly reprints caused by color mismatches
Key Features
- A library of spot colors mixed from specific base inks
- Variations for different substrates (e.g., coated, uncoated, matte)
- Digital and physical swatch guides for accurate reference
Use Cases in Print & Packaging
- Ensuring brand identity colors appear exactly the same on every label or package
- Printing vibrant or hard-to-achieve hues that CMYK can’t reproduce reliably
- Maintaining consistency across global supply chains and multiple print vendors

See Other Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Prepress Quality Control: From Preflight to Perfect Prints
Excellent quality control before printing turns a good business into a great one. Catching mistakes early and keeping your standards high makes every project run smoothly. Clients will be impressed by your reliable and detailed work.

Fast Automated Artwork Inspection From Proof to Press
Take on more jobs and propel prepress and production to record speed with automated quality checks that deliver flawless results—every time.

Artwork Best Practices
Avoiding errors in production is often the result of inconsistency. In this guide, we cover everything you’ll need for a bulletproof file creation process.

Color Measurement Done Right
Avoiding errors in production is often the result of inconsistency. In this guide, we coverColor accuracy isn’t optional, it’s mission-critical. The color measurement engine in GVD delivers automated inspections that eliminate uncertainty and enforce precision across every file, proof, and press run. everything you’ll need for a bulletproof file creation process.
Streamline Artwork Proofing From Prepress to Production
Elevate labeling and packaging accuracy with the market-leading artwork inspection software.

