Digital Color Standards

Benefits of Digital Standards

• Offer brand owners peace of mind that the specifications they communicate will be produced.

• Enable designers to specify accurate color on a given substrate for consistent reproduction.

• Can be used in software to specify and communicate expectations, formulate ink and colorants, and control quality.

• Provide suppliers quantifiable goals and the confidence to work faster and more efficiently.

• Stored in one central location, so spectral data for the same color target can be retrieved from sites around the world.

Physical Standards

Ineffective communication of color expectations can lead to extra costs and rework and lost profits due to lack of retail shelf appeal. A physical color standard can be used to evaluate color by comparing the standard (target color) to the trial (production color) to see if they visually match following a few best practices.

• Physical color standards are affected by a variety of factors, such as light, heat, age and other ambient variables. It is important to ensure the standard has been stored correctly and not affected by light, temperature, heat, age, or other ambient variables.

• The appearance of color can change based on the material on which it is produced. In fact, some colors are not achievable on a certain material. The standard should accurately represents the product color and material (such as plastic, nylon, cotton, polyester, special effect paints, etc.) surface texture, gloss, angular dependency attributes, colorants, inks, and pigments, etc.

• Standardized lighting is also an integral part of visual evaluation. Using a light booth can verify color continues to match under different light sources.

Pantone Colors

Pantone provides a universal language of color that enables brands, designers, and producers to make color-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow. Product and graphic designers often use Pantone colors as a certified reference material to help define, communicate and control color across various materials and finishes for graphics, fashion and product design. 

Pantone Color Systems

Pantone has two color systems: The Pantone Matching System (PMS) and the Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors (FHI) system. Each proprietary color space is designed to feature market-relevant colors; for example, fashion designers use more whites, blacks, and neutrals, while print and package designers require more vibrant Pantone colors. Pantone color libraries are backed by scientific achievability to meet market and manufacturing needs and are globally available.

Munsell Color Standards

Munsell Color Standards are used in a many industries and disciplines, including business, industry, government, and academia. Along with a huge library of color standards, Munsell Color can also produce custom physical standards to validate specific color and appearance aspects for perfect reproduction, including texture, gloss, fluorescence, and special effects.

Why are Color Standards Important?

• For Color Communication

First, we all perceive and interpret color differently. Using a color standard enables brands to communicate precise color requirements, graphic designers to use reproducible color in designs, and suppliers to fulfill color requirements in a language that is recognized around the world.

• To Characterize Substrates

Reproducible color can vary based on the material. Physical and digital color standards set clear expectations for how color will appear on a particular substrate.

• To Establish Clear Expectations

When working with more than one supplier, variations in processes and equipment can lead to discrepancies in color results. Color standards can ensure that multiple sites aim for the same target to reduce costs and achieve consistent results.

• For Consistent Production Runs

Color needs to be consistent throughout and between production runs. A color standard can be used to verify color formulas and ensure consistent color from run to run, no matter when or where it is produced.

Learn More About Standards

Resources for Digital Color Standards:

• Blogs
  • How Digital Color Standards Streamline Plastic Color Production: Digital color standards help plastics manufacturers set clear color expectations and achieve color accuracy with less waste for a more sustainable workflow.
  • Choosing the Best Device to Create Digital Color Standards: To create digital color standards, you need an accurate, repeatable master spectrophotometer. Learn if the Ci7860 benchtop spectrophotometer is right for you.
  • Digital Color Technology Connects Packaging Tasks: Color control and consistency in printed packaging can seem difficult to achieve, especially when you need large scale production of the packaging. Here are tools and resources to help.
  • Choosing a Spectrophotometer for Digital Color for Textiles: Using digital color for textiles speeds time to market. Read our blog to learn how to choose the right spectrophotometer for on-screen color.
  • Digitally Exchange Physical Samples with PANTORA: With the PANTORA desktop application and a Ci7000, MetaVue VS3200, or MA-T12 spectrophotometer, you can digitize physical samples for 3D previews and approvals.

• Webinars
  • PantoneLIVE - The Criticality of Using Physical and Digital Color Standards
  • Take Ownership of Your Brand Color with a Digital Print Quality Program: The importance of color cannot be overstated. Join our webinar to learn how brands that implement a Digital Print Quality Program can drive continuous improvement with their suppliers.
  • Using Digital Standards: Join us for this webinar to will learn how digital standards can streamline color quality control and reduce the time you waste correcting color issues.
  • Implement a Digital Workflow with Spectral Data: In this webinar, you will learn how a digital workflow can streamline the color matching process, reducing waste and rework while speeding time to market.
  • Digitize your Brand Standards: Attend this webinar to learn more about our latest digital Pantone tools and how they can help you standardize your brand colors.
  • Capturing Digital Color Data: Join this free webinar to learn why it’s important to include digital color data in your quality control program so you can stop guessing and measure with confidence.
  • Simple Tools for Print & Packaging Series | Webinar #2 - Organize and Communicate Digital Color on Different Substrates: Join us for a free, three-part webinar series where we will introduce simple print and packaging tools to help you achieve accurate color, even across sites.
  • How to Capture and Use Digital Appearance Data for Automotive Paint: Learn how to capture, store, edit, and communicate complex material characteristics, like automotive paint, throughout the digital design workflow using digital appearance data.

• Whitepapers
  • 4 Keys to Implementing a Digital Color Workflow: In this whitepaper, you will discover new tools and techniques for implementing a digitally-enabled workflow, including 4 keys that you won’t want to miss.

Resources for Physical Color Standards:

• Blogs
  • How to Talk Color with Customers and Suppliers: Talking color with suppliers and customers doesn’t have to be a challenge. Learn how to speak the same language and avoid costly mistakes by sharing accurate color information.
  • Munsell Custom Color Standards: Learn how Munsell custom color standards simulate your desired color outcome, including color, texture, finish and even acceptable color deviations.
  • Munsell Color Standards: From validating stop sign color to choosing which crops are suitable for sale, the US government relies on Munsell to ensure products are up to standard.
  • The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Physical Samples: Physical standards are a great way to communicate color and surface appearance. Learn how to care for physical samples so quality isn't compromised.

• Webinars
  • Uses and Limitations of Physical Standards: Physical standards have their limitations. Join the webinar to learn more how adding digital information to your workflow can help you better communicate color.
  • Industry or Custom Standards – What’s Right for You?: Join us to learn how printing to standards provide repeatable production and reduce rejects.

• Whitepapers
  • A Scientific Approach to Visual Color Evaluation: This whitepaper explains why standardized lighting is important for visual color evaluation, the primary sources used in a light booth, and how to set up a successful program.