FAQ - Pantone Metallics

► What is a Spot Color?

► How are Metallic spot colors different than spot colors in the Pantone Formula Guide?

► How are the base inks in the Formula Guide different from the base ink in the Metallics guide?

► Why are some of the base inks in the Packaging Metallics different than those in Formula Guide?

► What is the difference between Packaging Metallics and Commercial Graphics Metallics?

► When would I use a Packaging Metallics Color versus a Commercial Graphics Metallics Color?

► Are there any cost differences between Packaging and Commercial Graphics Metallics?

► Are there any visual differences between Packaging and Commercial Graphics Metallics?

► Why would I use a Metallic Ink instead of a foil?

► What can I do to make my metallic inks more intense and shiny?

► When should I update my Metallic Guide and Chips Book?

New Pantone Metallics vs. Previous Offering

► What is the difference between Premium and Packaging Metallics?

► What happened to your Premium Metallics?

► What happened to “The Plus Series” on the product covers?

Communicating & Measuring Metallic Inks

► How should I ask my printer for a Metallic Ink?

► How do you measure metallic inks?

► Why would you capture data from both an X-Rite eXact (or handheld) and a benchtop sphere spectrophotometer?

► Why didn’t you use a multi-angle device to measure your metallics?

► Why didn’t you use a densitometer to measure your metallics?

Pantone Metallics for Graphic Design vs. Pantone Metallic Shimmers for Fashion/Product Design

► What is the difference between Pantone Metallics and Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors (FHI) Metallic Shimmers?

► When would I use a Pantone Metallics Color versus a Pantone FHI Metallic Shimmers color?

► Do the Pantone Metallics colors match to the Pantone FHI Metallic Shimmers color?

► Which metallic system is right for me?

► Pantone Metallics Coated (Graphics) vs Pantone Metallic Shimmers Guide (FHI) Quick Comparison Guide

► Does it make sense to use both the Pantone Metallics and Pantone FHI Metallic Shimmers?