If you're a screen printer striving for consistent, accurate colors across every print, owning a Pantone book is a critical tool. Whether you're matching client brand colors or experimenting with bold creative palettes, this guide will show you why the Pantone Formula Guide is a must-have in every shop.
This blog will show you how to use a Pantone book with a mixing system, avoid color shift, and confidently mix spot colors that match every time. Why does that matter? Imagine landing your dream client: a major brand with a massive shirt order featuring their logo. In this case, “close enough” won’t cut it. You need to match their brand colors exactly, and not just once. You may need to remix the same color mid-job. Even small changes in your process can shift the final color, creating big problems fast. That’s where PMS color matching comes in. It removes the guesswork and turns ink mixing into a repeatable, reliable process.
But first, let’s start with the basics.
What Is Pantone?
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) was created to help designers, printers, and manufacturers match colors across different materials and print methods. Each Pantone color is identified by a unique number, making it easy to communicate exact color choices from design to print.
RELATED: What Are Pantone Colors?
What Is PMS and What Does It Mean?
PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. It's the universal language of color in the print world. Rather than relying on subjective visual matching, PMS uses precise numerical codes to ensure everyone sees and prints the same color. PMS is especially helpful in screen printing where color consistency matters for every run.
Why Every Screen Printer Needs a Pantone Book
The Pantone Formula Guidebook provides industry-standard spot colors with precise ink formulas. It allows you to mix colors with accuracy, not guesswork. It’s especially useful when a client requests a specific Pantone shade, like 2995 C, and expects you to nail it on press.
Instead of trying to eyeball color mixes or rely on digital screens, which can be inconsistent, the Pantone book gives you a printed reference of how the color should appear. This eliminates miscommunication and ensures your prints match expectations.
RELATED: Pantone Mixing tips
Understanding Coated vs. Uncoated Colors
Each Pantone color typically appears with a suffix like C (coated) or U (uncoated). It's similar to matte vs. glossy finish you see with photo paper stock, and can have a big impact on the final result. For screen printers, you’ll generally match to coated colors, since ink sits on top of the garment rather than soaking in like it would on uncoated paper. Always make sure you’re mixing to the correct version of the color. 2995 C is not the same as 2995 U.
Lighting Conditions Matter
When comparing your mixed ink to the Pantone swatch, do it under consistent lighting. Natural daylight or a 5000K color-matching bulb is ideal. Fluorescent or warm yellow lights can alter the appearance of the color, leading to inaccurate evaluations. A proper light source ensures you're judging color the same way every time.
For professional ink mixing, many shops use calibrated light boxes to maintain consistent, controlled lighting conditions. This allows colors to be evaluated the same way every time. Some light boxes even let you switch between lighting presets, so you can see how a color will appear under different environments, such as daylight, retail lighting, or indoor fluorescents.
How to Use the Pantone Book With a Mixing System
Let’s walk through the process of mixing Pantone 2995 C using the FN-INK™ mixing system. This method works for any color in the Pantone book:
- Use your mixing software to find the Pantone formula. In this case, 2995 C only requires two inks: Mixing White and Light Blue.
- Select your mixing amount. For production, use 1000g. For testing, scale down to 100–200g.
- Zero out your scale and begin with the largest component, usually the base or lighter color. This improves accuracy and prevents waste.
- Measure and add the second component. For this mix, it’s 31.3g of Mixing White.
- Scrape the container sides and bottom thoroughly to ensure a fully mixed color.
Color Shift: Why the Shirt Color Matters
Even when your ink matches the Pantone swatch perfectly, it may not look the same on the garment. That’s because ink behaves differently depending on the shirt’s color and fabric. This is especially true for translucent inks, where the background shows through.
To prevent unwanted color shift on press:
- Use a white underbase when printing on dark garments
- Always test your color on the actual shirt type and color
- If the result looks off, try the next closest Pantone shade that adjusts brightness or contrast
RELATED: What is Color Shift and Why Does it Change the Color of Inks?
Pro Tips for Using the Pantone Book Effectively
- Replace your Pantone book every 12 to 18 months. Colors fade over time, and accuracy matters.
- Label your mixed inks with the Pantone code and formula so you can recreate or reorder easily.
- Print a test swatch next to the physical Pantone page to check for accuracy before production.
Where to Get a Pantone Book for Screen Printing
You can find the Pantone PMS Formula Guidebook for Screen Printing here:
This version from ScreenPrinting.com is curated specifically for plastisol and water-based screen printing ink. It’s a staple tool in every professional shop, whether you're using FN-INK, Green Galaxy, Wilflex, or any other PMS-compatible system.
Let the Pantone Book Guide Your Print Success
The Pantone book isn’t just a color fan deck. It’s a tool that brings clarity to your mixing process and confidence to your print results. Combine it with a good mixing system and a clean darkroom workflow, and you’ll unlock a whole new level of quality and control in your shop.
Ready to take control of your colors? Let the Pantone book guide your next perfect mix.