Each unique color is then labeled via a number, which makes it easy to avoid color inconsistencies. The majority of Pantone colors are generated with thirteen base pigments that create a variety of unique colors. PANTONE varies from CMYK in that it doesn’t require a combination of various colors instead, PANTONE colors are defined as singular units. The guideline ensures that any manufacturer can refer to any color and be able to match on print. This system is widely used on most printers to replicate tones and graphics through a standardized guideline. The Pantone Matching System (PMS) revolutionized the printing color process by providing a standardized system. This post aims to give you a better understanding of the main color systems for you to keep your color choices as consistent as possible across all product design materials. It can be the difference between a perfect final design and something that looks completely different from what was expected.īelow, I provide a simple explanation of the color systems mentioned and an overview of the main differences between them.

Knowing the differences between these color systems can help you choose the best option for the type of design you are working with. There are four main color systems in the massive world of print and on-screen design: CMYK, Pantone, RGB, and RAL. However, it is important to understand that the process of picking colors can be a bit complex, considering that colors can look completely different across print and on-screen - even between two screens, color can appear different. Whether you are designing for print or web, using the right color or color combination is crucial for establishing a strong message, connecting better with your target audience, and eventually improving your brand recognition. However, many companies fail to reach this consistency because they don’t understand how to use colors across different mediums. Color plays an important role in keeping all your marketing materials looking sharp and consistent across print, web, and production. It’s an element that shouldn’t be underestimated or even overlooked. We highly recommend that you use a physical color chart to get the best results, especially if you want to match the color on an existing surface.I think it’s not a secret when I say that color can greatly impact your business’ branding. Remember that colors on a screen can differ from how they look on a painted surface depending on the settings on your device. The values in the table describe the RAL color that is nearest to each NCS color. Because the RAL system contains a more limited number of colors than NCS, it's not always possible to make a 100% exact conversion. Use this table and colour chart to convert an NCS color code (Natural Color System) to a RAL color code.

Conversion ral a pantone