INTRODUCTION
The Pantone Formula Guide Set | Coated & Uncoated is the essential professional color communication and spot color matching tool for graphic designers, brand teams, printers, packaging specialists, marketing departments and production professionals. Featuring 2,390 Pantone spot colors, including 224 new market-relevant Pantone Matching System colors, this updated guide set provides accurate physical color references on coated and uncoated paper stocks for branding, logos, packaging, print production, digital design, industrial design, architecture and manufacturing workflows.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Pantone Formula Guide Set Coated & Uncoated is one of the most important professional color tools in the Pantone Graphics System. Designed for designers, print professionals, brand owners, packaging developers and production teams, this compact fan deck set provides a reliable physical reference for selecting, specifying, communicating and matching Pantone spot colors across creative and industrial workflows.
In professional graphic design and print production, accurate color communication is essential. A brand color selected on screen must be translated into physical print with consistency, precision and repeatability. Without a standardized color reference system, color decisions can become subjective, leading to mismatched proofs, inconsistent packaging, inaccurate brand reproduction, repeated corrections and costly production delays. The Pantone Formula Guide helps solve this challenge by providing a shared international color language for designers, printers, clients, agencies and manufacturers.
This latest edition displays 2,390 market-driven Pantone spot colors on both coated and uncoated paper stocks. It includes 224 new, on-trend and market-relevant graphics colors, expanding the creative range available for contemporary branding, packaging, marketing materials and print applications. The guide also includes five new eco-friendly Pantone base mixing inks, compatible with coating in print production processes, supporting more modern and responsible production workflows.
The Pantone Formula Guide Set is especially valuable because it shows how Pantone Colors appear on different paper surfaces. The same ink color can look different when printed on coated and uncoated stocks due to surface absorption, reflectance, texture and ink behavior. By including both coated and uncoated references, the guide helps professionals make more realistic color decisions before production begins.
The guides are printed on commonly used European paper weights: 168 gsm coated paper and 118 gsm uncoated paper. This makes the set highly relevant for professional print environments, packaging development, brand identity systems and commercial graphic applications where color must be evaluated on realistic print substrates.
Each Pantone Color is displayed with its corresponding number and ink formulation, allowing printers and production partners to accurately mix and reproduce Pantone spot colors. These ink formulas are a critical part of the value of the Formula Guide, helping bridge the gap between creative selection and pressroom execution. For print buyers, agencies and designers, this supports clearer communication with printers and more predictable production outcomes.
The portable handheld fan deck format makes the Pantone Formula Guide practical for everyday professional use. Designers can use it in the studio for color inspiration and brand development, while printers and production teams can use it during press checks, proof reviews and client approvals. Its compact format allows easy reference during meetings, supplier visits, packaging reviews, manufacturing discussions and on-the-go color communication.
For branding and identity design, the Pantone Formula Guide is an essential tool. Logos, corporate colors and marketing assets must remain consistent across business cards, brochures, packaging, signage, labels, promotional materials and campaign graphics. By specifying Pantone spot colors from a recognized professional color system, brands can maintain a more consistent visual identity across different print suppliers, paper stocks and international markets.
For packaging design, color accuracy is particularly important because packaging often needs to match across multiple formats, print runs, substrates and production locations. The Pantone Formula Guide supports packaging teams in defining precise spot colors for cartons, labels, sleeves, luxury packaging, retail displays and branded printed materials. It helps reduce uncertainty between design files, proofs, printer communication and final printed output.
For marketing and graphic design applications, the guide supports color inspiration, campaign development, print specification and final production review. Designers can compare colors physically, evaluate coated and uncoated effects and select Pantone spot colors that support the intended brand expression, shelf impact or communication objective.
The Pantone Formula Guide is also relevant beyond traditional print. Architecture, industrial design, product design and manufacturing teams use Pantone color reference systems to communicate consistent color expectations across physical materials, printed components, coatings, decorative surfaces and branded product elements. While Pantone Graphics colors are primarily developed for print and graphic applications, they also serve as an important color communication bridge in broader design and production environments.
The updated printing process provides improved color accuracy, helping professionals work with greater confidence. A lighting indicator page is also included to demonstrate when lighting conditions are suitable for proper color evaluation. This is important because color perception changes significantly under different light sources. Reliable color assessment requires appropriate lighting, standardized references and controlled visual evaluation.
The Formula Guide’s numeric index provides quick location of each color, making it easier for professionals to search, compare and specify Pantone colors efficiently. New colors are positioned at the front of the guide for easy access, allowing users to quickly explore the latest additions to the Pantone Matching System.
For international workflows, the Pantone Formula Guide supports consistent color communication across agencies, clients, printers, packaging suppliers and manufacturers worldwide. A designer in one country, a brand team in another and a printer in a third location can all reference the same Pantone spot color number and formulation. This shared system reduces ambiguity and improves alignment throughout the supply chain.
At MODE…INFORMATION, we specialize in professional color communication tools, color reference systems, trend forecasting publications and creative intelligence resources for international design, branding, print, packaging and manufacturing industries. Our expertise supports professionals who need reliable color standards, accurate specification tools and efficient workflows for creative and industrial color communication.
The Pantone Formula Guide Set Coated & Uncoated is an essential investment for professionals who require accurate Pantone spot color selection, reliable color specification and consistent color communication from design concept to final production. It combines portability, technical precision, ink formulation data and international Pantone standardization in one indispensable professional graphics color guide.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Includes 2,390 Pantone spot colors from the Pantone Graphics System.
- Features 224 new Pantone Matching System colors for modern graphic and packaging applications.
- Includes five new eco-friendly Pantone base mixing inks for print production workflows.
- Presented as portable handheld fan decks for coated and uncoated paper references.
- Printed on 168 gsm coated paper and 118 gsm uncoated paper.
- Displays Pantone Colors with corresponding numbers and ink formulations.
- New colors are placed at the front of the guide for easy access.
- Includes numeric index in the back for fast color location.
- Enhanced printing process supports improved color accuracy.
- Includes lighting indicator page for proper color evaluation conditions.
- Designed for spot color matching, print specification and professional color communication.
PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS
The Pantone Formula Guide Set Coated & Uncoated is widely used for:
- Logo design, brand identity systems and corporate color specification.
- Packaging design, labels, cartons, sleeves and retail print materials.
- Marketing materials, brochures, campaigns and commercial print production.
- Spot color selection, color matching and pressroom communication.
- Digital design workflows requiring accurate physical Pantone color references.
- Print approvals, proof reviews, press checks and production evaluation.
- Architecture, industrial design, product design and manufacturing color communication.
- International supply chain communication between designers, brands, printers and suppliers.
FAQ SECTION
What is the Pantone Formula Guide Set used for?
The Pantone Formula Guide Set is used for professional spot color selection, color matching, color specification and print production communication across graphic design, branding, packaging and marketing workflows.
How many colors are included?
The guide set includes 2,390 Pantone spot colors, including 224 new Pantone Matching System colors.
What is the difference between coated and uncoated guides?
The coated guide shows Pantone colors printed on coated paper, while the uncoated guide shows how the same colors appear on uncoated paper. This helps professionals evaluate how paper surface affects color appearance.
Does the guide include ink formulas?
Yes. Pantone Colors are displayed with their corresponding numbers and ink formulations, helping printers accurately mix and reproduce Pantone spot colors.
What paper weights are used?
The guides are printed on 168 gsm coated paper and 118 gsm uncoated paper, reflecting common professional print substrates.
Who should use the Pantone Formula Guide?
It is designed for graphic designers, brand managers, packaging designers, printers, production teams, marketing departments, agencies, manufacturers and color specification professionals.
Why is a physical Pantone guide important?
A physical guide provides a reliable printed reference for Pantone colors, helping professionals evaluate real color appearance more accurately than screen-based color alone.
Is it suitable for international color communication?
Yes. The Pantone Formula Guide is widely used worldwide to communicate consistent spot colors between designers, clients, printers, suppliers and manufacturers.
Sku#: GP1601B