The Pantone Color Bridge Guide Uncoated is a professional colour communication tool for translating Pantone spot colours into CMYK, RGB and HTML values across print and digital workflows. Designed as a portable handheld fan deck, it helps designers, printers, brand teams and production specialists understand how Pantone spot colours appear when converted to their closest process-colour equivalents on uncoated paper.
The guide contains all 2,359 Pantone spot colours, including 224 newer, market-relevant graphics colours. Each Pantone reference is shown side by side with its closest industry-standard CMYK match, making it easy to compare the original spot colour with the result that can be achieved through four-colour process printing. This visual comparison is essential when a project must move from a defined Pantone colour to a CMYK production environment.
Pantone spot colours and CMYK process colours are not technically identical systems. A Pantone spot colour is produced with a specifically mixed ink, while CMYK builds colour from cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Because these systems have different colour gamuts, some Pantone colours can be approximated closely, while others become visibly softer, less saturated or tonally different when reproduced in process printing. The Color Bridge Guide Uncoated makes these differences visible before artwork reaches production.
This is particularly valuable for packaging, branding, print design and marketing materials where colour expectations must be managed clearly between designers, clients and print suppliers. If a selected Pantone colour converts well into CMYK, teams may be able to simplify production. If the printed CMYK result is too far from the intended colour, a dedicated Pantone spot ink may remain the better choice. The guide supports this decision with a physical printed comparison rather than relying only on software previews.
The Uncoated edition is printed on commonly used 80 lb / 118 gsm uncoated paper. This matters because uncoated stock absorbs ink differently from coated paper, often creating a softer, more matte and less saturated result. A colour that works on a glossy coated surface may appear noticeably different on letterheads, inserts, brochures, stationery, booklets, labels or packaging components printed on uncoated material.
By showing spot-to-process comparisons directly on uncoated stock, the guide provides a more realistic reference for projects where the final substrate is matte, absorbent or uncoated. It helps avoid the common mistake of judging colour from a coated reference when the final production will be printed on an uncoated paper.
The current guide is printed to align with G7-calibrated CRPC6 and CRPC3 press references for uncoated paper conditions. This supports a more realistic representation of contemporary industry-standard colour management and process printing. The guide remains a professional reference rather than a production guarantee; final results should always be checked with proofs, press sheets and the intended substrate.
For digital design, the Pantone Color Bridge is especially useful because it provides CMYK, sRGB and HTML/Hex values for Pantone spot colours. These values help translate a physical print colour into digital contexts such as websites, interfaces, animation, motion graphics, video, social media assets and brand guidelines. While screen output still depends on calibration, display technology and colour profiles, the guide creates a defined starting point for cross-media colour consistency.
Each colour is displayed with its Pantone designation, closest CMYK values, RGB values and HTML/Hex reference. This allows graphic designers, web designers and digital production teams to work from the same colour language when developing integrated brand systems. A packaging colour, printed brochure colour and digital campaign colour can be connected through a shared Pantone reference and its corresponding conversion values.
The guide’s chromatic arrangement supports intuitive exploration of colour families and tonal ranges. The 224 newer graphics colours are placed at the front of the guide for fast access, while an index at the back provides the numerical position of every Pantone colour. This allows users to browse creatively during palette development or locate an established Pantone number quickly during technical specification.
The portable fan format makes the guide practical for everyday professional use. With an individual guide size of approximately 4 × 23.5 cm, it can travel between studio, client meeting, supplier briefing and press check. Designers can use it during concept development; printers can use it to explain process-colour limitations; brand managers can use it to evaluate whether colour conversions support identity consistency.
A Lighting Indicator page helps users check whether ambient lighting conditions are suitable for visual colour evaluation. This is important because lighting can make the same printed colour appear warmer, cooler, darker or less saturated. Critical colour judgements should always be made under appropriate and consistent viewing conditions.
For international workflows, the Pantone Color Bridge Guide Uncoated creates a shared reference between creative teams, printers, packaging suppliers, web teams and production partners. It reduces ambiguity when colours must be adapted across print and digital media and helps define realistic expectations before approval, proofing and production.
The Pantone Color Bridge Guide Uncoated is ideal for projects where uncoated paper, CMYK process printing or digital translation plays a central role. It is a practical, authoritative colour reference for managing colour conversion, specifying print expectations and connecting physical Pantone spot colours with CMYK, RGB and HTML values across modern design workflows.
Key Benefits
- Portable Pantone fan guide for uncoated paper
- Contains all 2,359 Pantone spot colours
- Includes 224 newer market-relevant graphics colours
- Shows Pantone spot colours beside closest CMYK matches
- Provides CMYK, sRGB and HTML/Hex values
- Printed on 118 gsm uncoated paper
- Aligned with CRPC6 and CRPC3 press references
- Supports spot-to-process colour conversion
- Chromatic colour arrangement for intuitive selection
- New colours positioned at the front of the guide
- Numerical index for locating Pantone colours quickly
- Lighting Indicator page for checking viewing conditions
- For branding, packaging, graphic design and marketing
- Useful for web design, animation, video and digital assets
- Supports colour planning from inspiration to press check
FAQ
What is the Pantone Color Bridge Guide Uncoated used for?
It is used to compare Pantone spot colours with their closest CMYK process-colour equivalents on uncoated paper and to access RGB and HTML/Hex values for digital design.
How many colours are included in the guide?
The guide contains 2,359 Pantone spot colours, including 224 newer graphics colours, each shown with its closest CMYK match and digital values.
Are Pantone spot colours and CMYK matches identical?
No. CMYK has a different colour gamut. The guide shows the closest achievable process-colour match so users can judge whether the difference is acceptable.
Why is the guide printed on uncoated paper?
Uncoated paper absorbs ink differently and often produces softer, less saturated colour results. This guide is designed for projects printed on uncoated stock.
Does the guide include RGB and HTML values?
Yes. It provides CMYK, sRGB and HTML/Hex values for Pantone spot colours, making it useful for print, web, animation, video and digital design workflows.
Does the guide replace production proofing?
No. It is a professional reference for colour planning and conversion. Final colour approval should be made using proofs or press sheets on the intended production substrate.