The PANTONE Metallics Guide Coated is a comprehensive professional colour reference for creating, specifying and producing metallic effects in packaging, branding, graphic design and printed communication. Its portable fan deck presents 655 Pantone metallic spot colours on coated paper, bringing the complete collection of Packaging Metallics and traditional Metallics together in one practical colour communication tool.
The collection comprises 354 high-lustre Packaging Metallics and 301 traditional metallic spot colours. It includes 54 trend- and market-relevant packaging shades developed with Rose Gold base ink, extending the palette beyond familiar silver, gold and bronze effects into contemporary warm metallics, tinted neutrals and more nuanced colour directions.
Metallic colour can transform the perceived value and visibility of a printed design. It introduces reflected light, surface movement and material depth that conventional flat inks cannot reproduce in the same way. In packaging, metallic spot colours can communicate premium quality, technological precision, celebration or exclusivity. In branding and marketing, they create distinctive accents that attract attention while reinforcing a recognisable visual identity.
The guide supports applications ranging from folding cartons, labels and promotional packaging to logos, invitations, publications, signage and security-related graphics. Metallic colours can be used as dominant design elements, subtle highlights or finishing details that add contrast and hierarchy to otherwise conventional printed palettes.
Unlike standard process colours, metallic effects depend on speciality printing inks and their interaction with the substrate, ink-film thickness, coating and viewing angle. Their lustre and reflective character cannot be evaluated reliably through an ordinary monitor or office printout. A physical colour guide is therefore essential when designers, brand owners and printers need to communicate the intended appearance of a metallic colour accurately.
Every colour in the guide is shown with its corresponding Pantone number and ink formulation. Designers can identify and specify an internationally recognised metallic reference, while printers receive the colour composition required to prepare the spot ink. This connection between creative selection and technical production helps reduce ambiguity when projects move from design and artwork preparation to proofing, press setup and final manufacture.
The colours are organised chromatically, allowing related metallic shades to be compared intuitively. Designers can explore gradual transitions between warm and cool metals, coloured metallics, light-reflective neutrals and deeper high-impact tones. A numerical index at the back of the guide identifies the position of each colour when a specific Pantone reference is already known.
The fan is printed on 148 g/m² coated paper, a commonly used stock weight for professional graphic and packaging applications. Coated paper supports a cleaner surface impression and helps demonstrate the brilliance, opacity and lustre associated with metallic spot inks. The guide measures approximately 23.5 × 4.3 cm, while the individual colour fields are approximately 2 × 4.3 cm, providing a practical balance between portability and visual evaluation.
Pantone describes the current metallic formulations as more environmentally considerate and formulated with more consistent ink density. Greater consistency is intended to support improved print achievability and make metallic colour references easier to reproduce within professional production conditions. The physical guide nevertheless represents a colour target rather than an automatic guarantee of an identical result. Final appearance should always be evaluated on the intended stock using the planned ink, coating and printing process.
The Packaging Metallics are designed to provide strong lustre and durability while accepting common coating and printing processes. According to Pantone’s product specifications, they can be coated without the same degree of lustre loss, tarnishing, leafing or blemishing that may complicate other metallic applications. This makes the range particularly relevant for packaging that combines metallic inks with protective or decorative surface finishes.
Examples using gloss aqueous and speciality coatings are included in the guide. These references demonstrate how finishing treatments can modify or amplify a metallic effect and help teams consider coating choices earlier in the design process. The result can vary significantly depending on whether a metallic area is left untreated, protected with a coating or combined with a contrasting surface finish.
A dedicated Lighting Indicator page helps users recognise whether ambient viewing conditions are suitable for visual colour evaluation. Lighting has a substantial influence on the appearance of reflective inks. Metallic shades should therefore be assessed under appropriate, consistent illumination and from more than one angle, particularly during proof review, supplier evaluation and press approval.
For packaging designers, the PANTONE Metallics Guide supports the development of premium colour systems that combine visual distinction with clear production specifications. Creative directors can use it to establish metallic accents within brand identities and campaign concepts. Graphic designers can reference it for logos, typography and printed communication, while print manufacturers can use the formulas and physical samples during colour matching and production planning.
The guide is equally valuable within international supply chains. A Pantone metallic number creates a shared reference between agencies, brand owners, converters and print suppliers working in different locations. Although every production result must still be assessed on the final material, a recognised physical standard provides a more reliable starting point than digital approximations or descriptive terminology alone.
Pantone Connect can also support the digital stage of the workflow by making Pantone colour information accessible within Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Digital libraries assist with artwork development and file preparation, while the physical Metallics Guide remains the authoritative visual reference for colour selection, communication and printed evaluation.
With 655 metallic colours, printed mixing formulas, coating examples, a lighting indicator and a compact fan format, the PANTONE Metallics Guide Coated connects creative impact with professional colour control. It enables design and production teams to develop more distinctive printed work while communicating metallic colour intent with greater clarity throughout the workflow.
Key Benefits
- Complete collection of 655 Pantone metallic spot colours
- 354 high-lustre Packaging Metallics
- 301 traditional metallic spot colours
- 54 packaging colours developed with Rose Gold base ink
- Portable, handheld fan-deck format
- Printed on 148 g/m² coated paper
- Each colour shown with Pantone number and ink formulation
- Chromatic arrangement for intuitive colour selection
- Numerical index for locating established references
- Gloss aqueous and speciality coating examples included
- Lighting Indicator page for checking viewing conditions
- Supports colour communication, specification and production
- Ideal for packaging, branding, logos, signage and marketing
- Complements the traditional Pantone Formula Guide palette
- Supports physical and digital Pantone workflows
FAQ
How many colours are included in the PANTONE Metallics Guide Coated?
The guide contains 655 metallic spot colours: 354 high-lustre Packaging Metallics and 301 traditional Pantone Metallics.
What are the 54 Rose Gold-based colours?
They are contemporary packaging colours formulated using Rose Gold base ink. They expand the collection with warmer and more nuanced metallic options.
Are the Pantone ink formulations included?
Yes. Every colour is displayed with its Pantone number and corresponding ink formulation to support professional specification and print production.
Why is the guide available only on coated paper?
Coated stock provides a suitable surface for demonstrating the clarity, opacity and reflective lustre of metallic spot inks used in graphic and packaging applications.
What do the coating examples show?
They demonstrate how gloss aqueous and speciality coatings can alter or enhance metallic effects, helping designers consider finishing options before production.
Does the guide guarantee an exact metallic production result?
No. It provides a professional printed colour reference. The final appearance must be evaluated on the intended substrate using the selected ink, coating and printing process.