The Importance of PMS/CYMK Colors in the Trade Show Industry

Colors are the most crucial aspect of printing for your display. Branding colors must remain consistent because they can appear significantly different on various materials. Whether you're printing on vinyl, fabric, paper, or simply viewing it on your screen, the color may vary. When communicating with your trade show designer, be sure to include any PMS/CMYK callouts to ensure your branding colors match throughout your entire booth.

What are PMS colors? PMS (Pantone Matching System) is a numbering system used in graphic design, providing universal color codes to ensure precise color matches for the designing and printing process.

What are CMYK colors? CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key) ink colors are within a PMS color. These are used for printing and selecting colors while designing, among other purposes. Printers and creative platforms use these four ink patterns to create the same color throughout the printing and designing process.

Why do colors look different on different materials? Paint dries differently on various fabrics. Banner fabric and vinyl have different textures and weights, causing ink to absorb into the fabric differently. This is why it's crucial to color match when changing fabrics to maintain a consistent color throughout the printing process.

Here are some reasons why Pantones are important for printing:

Consistency: Pantone colors provide a language for communicating and reproducing specific orders, helping maintain consistency across graphic designers, materials, and printing processes.

Branding Identity: Many companies and brands have specific colors associated with their logos and branding materials. Pantone colors help ensure that these brand colors are accurately reproduced across various printed materials, maintaining a consistent and recognizable brand identity.

Color Matching: Pantone colors allow printers to match colors accurately across different printing materials. This is crucial for large-format printing, packaging, and marketing materials.

Versatility: Pantone colors are not limited to a specific printing method. Whether it's offset printing, digital printing, screen printing, or other techniques, Pantone colors can be used across various printing technologies, ensuring consistency in color reproduction.