Pantone Colour Reformulation

In case you missed it, in December of 2022 Pantone reformulated its base inks for the first time since 1963. Here is a comparison for PMS 277 & 278 Uncoated as an example; previous formulation is on the left and the new formulation on the right.

The reformulation is expected to make colour more consistent across a wider variety of substrates and will be more compatible with post-print coatings (especially important in packaging). In addition, Pantone has added 224 new colours to reduce the gaps in the PMS colour gamut. These advantages are expected to outweigh the initial challenges that were seen. 

For designers and end customers, communication with your print provider is essential – especially if colour is critical. It might also be a good idea to replace those old Pantone Swatch Books!