Learn about the Pantone Plus color libraries used in Illustrator.
Pantone, the provider of professional color language standards, and X-Rite Incorporated announced the annual Pantone Color of the Year for 2020 a few weeks back and according to the entity that. Additionally, Pantone just released the Pantone Color Match Card that calibrates a mobile device’s camera for enhanced color accuracy. The app is free to download and comes with the features mentioned above, but there is a premium option available for purchase that grants access to additional tools, too. Pantone can transform your workspace as a guiding color partner providing color systems & leading technology for selection, accurate integration & replication.
Pantone Plus modernize the way Adobe applications use spot colors from color book manufacturers. Adobe Illustrator, along with InDesign and Photoshop, uses the Pantone Plus Series® of color books. Pantone Plus includes the PMS colors, replacing the earlier Pantone Matching System®.
Note:
Pantone Color Libraries in Adobe applications, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, are available under a business agreement between Pantone and Adobe. This agreement does not cover all the Pantone color libraries, therefore, you might not find certain Pantone libraries in Illustrator and other Adobe applications.
In addition, both these applications have independent update cycles, so recent updates to Pantone libraries may not be immediately available under Adobe applications.
You can update the color libraries using the Pantone Plus Digital Libraries Installer. For more details, see Pantone Color Manager.
Adobe Illustrator has three types of color swatches: process, global, and spot.
Process and global color swatches are related to the document color mode. Changing the document color mode from CMYK to RGB converts the process or global colors. Changing the document color mode back again is a second conversion, not a return to the original color.
Unlike process and global color swatches, spot color swatches preserve the definition and color modes (CMYK, RGB, LAB, Grayscale, HSB, or WebSafe RGB) in which they are created.
Color swatches can be created by either of these:
- users
- color book manufacturers such as Pantone
Color system manufacturers create standardized colors for communicating color information across apps and processes. These standardized color libraries are called color books.
The Pantone Plus Series® in Illustrator includes ten libraries:
- PANTONE+ CMYK Coated
- PANTONE+ CMYK Uncoated
- PANTONE+ Color Bridge Coated
- PANTONE+ Color Bridge Uncoated
- PANTONE+ Metallic Coated
- PANTONE+ Pastels & Neons Coated
- PANTONE+ Pastels & Neons Uncoated
- PANTONE+ Premium Metallics Coated
- PANTONE+ Solid Coated
- PANTONE+ Solid Uncoated
The filename extension of these color books is .acb.
Before CS2, spot colors from Pantone and other systems used CMYK values as the color definitions. CMYK values were whole numbers.
Pantone color books, introduced in CS2, use Lab values as the color definitions. The equivalent CMYK values aren't always whole numbers.
The filename extension of these color books is .acbl.
In Adobe Illustrator, you add named color swatches, such as manufacturer-supplied spot colors, to the document swatches.
Spot colors in the Pantone Plus Series® use Lab values. There are no CMYK definitions for spot colors in the Pantone Plus Series®. Seasons 1 3 4. Therefore, to add Pantone Plus spot colors to your document swatches, define spot colors using Lab values.
To define spot colors using Lab values, choose Spot Colors from the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches), select Use Lab values specified by the book manufacturer, then click OK.
With the Pantone Plus Series®, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop CS6 and CC all contain the color libraries from Pantone, enabling seamless exchange of book colors from one app to the other. And because the spot colors use Lab values, the visible results are much closer to the real inks available. Using Lab values for spot colors also reduces the difference of appearance between the Normal and Overprint Preview viewing modes.
CMYK, as a color mode, has a fairly limited gamut. Representing Pantone spot colors in CMYK values results in a wider difference of appearance between printed output and digital artwork. Mafia iii 1 0 0.
When workflows demand that Pantone colors use CMYK values, Adobe recommends that you use the Pantone Plus Series® global colors instead of spot colors. If you must use Pantone spot colors that use CMYK values, see the following workarounds.
Workaround 1: Replace Pantone Plus with older Pantone color books
![Find your pantone color Find your pantone color](https://www.pantone.com/images/home2017/silo/pantone-update-graphics-guides-old-vs-new-homepage.jpg)
- From the folder Adobe Illustrator [CS6 or CC]/Presets/[language]/Swatches/Color Books/, remove all the libraries that have names starting with Pantone+.
- From an older version of Illustrator (CS2-CS5), copy all the Pantone libraries with extension .acb and place into: Adobe Illustrator [CS6 or CC]/Presets/[language]/Swatches/Color Books.
- Copy all Pantone libraries with extension .acbl and place into: Adobe Illustrator CS6/Presets/[language]/Swatches/Color Books/Legacy.
- Relaunch Illustrator, and open all the document profiles from:
- Mac OS: [user]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator [CS6 or CC]/[language]/New Document Profiles
-or-- Windows 7: [drive]/Users/[user]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator [CS6 or CC] Settings/[language]/[binary]/New Document Profiles
-or-- Windows XP: [drive]/Documents and Settings/[user]/Application Data/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator [CS6 or CC] Settings/[language]/New Document Profiles
- For each profile, choose Spot Colors from the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches), select Use CMYK values from the manufacturer's process books, then click OK.
- Save and close all document profiles, then restart Illustrator again.
Workaround 2:Make older Pantone libraries available for missing colors
Use this workaround only if you encounter missing colors in legacy documents opened in Illustrator CS6 or CC. It is not recommended to use older Pantone libraries to add new colors to a document.
- From an older version of Illustrator (CS2–CS5), copy all Pantone libraries with extension .acb and place into this folder: Adobe Illustrator [CS6 or CC]/Presets/[language]/Swatches/Color Books.
No. There is no change in this process. To add a spot color to a document, open the color book and click the desired swatch.
In Illustrator CS5 and earlier versions, which included the older versions of the Pantone color books, most spot colors from Pantone had two definitions: Lab and CMYK. In addition, the default setting in the Spot Color Options dialog box was CMYK. CMYK values took priority over Lab values. The spot color added to the document usually came with CMYK values.
If you need the same spot colors to be identical in CS5 (and earlier) and CS6/CC, take the following steps, see Workaround 1: Replace Pantone Plus with older Pantone color books.
This workaround makes the Pantone spot color uniform across different versions of Illustrator. However, it could impact cross-product workflows with InDesign and Photoshop, if you are using the Pantone Plus Series® with these apps.
No. Files from earlier versions open successfully. Spot color definitions are preserved along with their original definitions.
An exception: opening legacy files that contain linked PSDs or TIFF files that have spot channels from older Pantone color books.
Importing PSDs and TIFF files with spot channels containing older Pantone colors
PSD and TIFF files that contain spot channels from color books retain a link to the color book. When you place-link such files in an Illustrator CS6 or CC document, the system searches for the color information for spot channels in the installed Pantone Plus color books. If an identically named color is found in any of the available spot color books, the system fetches it and links to the file or opens the legacy file. (This process is also true for opening legacy ai/eps/pdf/indd files that contain links to such PSDs or TIFFs.) During this process, there can be a slight difference in how the color appears (compared to Illustrator CS5 or earlier). There are two possible reasons for the difference of appearance:
- The Spot Color Options setting may have been CMYK in the older Illustrator version, and Lab in CS6 or CC.
- Pantone may have changed the definition of the color in Pantone Plus.
If the color used in spot channels isn't found, Illustrator displays a warning and places the file with the spot color turning black. However, it retains the color as a spot color (Illustrator converts the color to a default black spot for the swatch values instead of coverting it to a process color).
For workarounds, see Workaround 1: Replace Pantone Plus with older Pantone color books and Workaround 2: Make older Pantone libraries available for missing colors.
More like this
Each December, the Pantone Color Institute declares a Color of the Year, one that reflects contemporary design trends and will undoubtedly dominate the creative arts space for the coming 365 days. In recent years, the Institute has opted for bold, lively colors such as Ultra Violet in 2018 and Greenery in 2017. This year, design enthusiasts are presented with the natural, warm tone of Living Coral, a color the company describes as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.”
It’s been seven years since we’ve seen a warm tone—2012’s Tangerine Tango—one that designers and decorators, art collectors, and fashion enthusiasts alike can easily incorporate into their ideas with sophistication and subtle decadence. Looking to incorporate Living Coral in your everyday? Find tips below to create a space that’s inviting, relaxing, and evokes creativity all at once.
What is the Pantone Color of the Year?
Pantone is a company devoted to what they describe as “color intelligence,” best known for their standardized matching system which uses numbers for precise identification to help you match paint to your couch, windows, and other decor. Since 2000, the company has announced a Color of the Year every December. The 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral, is represented by the number 16-1546 in their numbering system.
Coral, as found in nature, is a calcium-carbonate skeleton which typically lives in compact colonies or reefs of many identical undersea polyps. It is often found in a variety of shades, vacillating between tones when seen under different light. It has had a rich history in the arts, first appearing in ancient Egypt where it was harvested for jewelry. It was also worn in ancient Rome, where it was believed to ward off evil. Throughout the Victorian era, coral was used to carve cameos for jewelry. By the 20th century, coral was a prominent color incorporated into Art Deco jewelry and soon became a favorite among 19th and 20th century painters, used for the sunrises in Claude Monet’s paintings and the poppy blooms of American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, among many others.
Tips for Incorporating Living Coral
While orange hues have been used prominently throughout art history, they’re also easily adapted to other creative industries such as design and fashion. Create a warm, tranquil environment at home, inspire a calm, soothing space at work, and evoke spirituality and creativity from within through fashion choices. Below are ways to incorporate Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral, in your everyday.
1. Accessorize with Adornments
One of the easiest ways to add the coral hue into your living space is by incorporating pops of color through accessories. Look for throw pillows, vases, and other home decor to liven up grey or modern white color schemes. Get creative in your search: find candles, throw blankets, antiques for your bookshelves, and other unique objects that project the warm, peach-colored hue. Coral pairs exquisitely with gold, so don’t be afraid to mix and match.
2. Paint an Accent Wall
![Color Color](https://www.pantone.com/images/pages/21278/pantone-pms-graphics-how-many-colors-are-you-missing-chart-2010-2011.jpg)
For a bolder addition of the color, pull out the paintbrush. Living Coral is the perfect hue to brighten up a room, making it feel more open and inviting. If you’re unsure about painting an entire wall, start small by testing out an entry door, crown moldings, or even a piece of furniture to see how the color fares.
3. Hang Artwork that Inspires in the Office
“Flowers” by Andy Warhol (1964). Sold for $15,000 via Freeman’s (May 2015).
Coral is an emotive color, evoking a sense of tranquility. One way to create a brighter, more inspired office environment is to invest in a piece of art that incorporates the color. Impressionist paintings like those of Monet use coral elements throughout their compositions. Browse auction catalogs, galleries, and art studios until you find a work on paper or painting that speaks to you, and hang it near your work space for creative inspiration.
4. Add Color to Countertops
Rejuvenate your living space by using color in your countertops. Coral-toned countertops are trending and are readily available in quartz, granite, concrete, and other materials. If you’re not ready to commit to the kitchen, start by switching out the counters in bathrooms. Coordinate with cream-colored cabinets, bright backsplashes, and gold accents to create a soothing room to relax and recharge.
5. Liven Up Textiles
Another way to add pops of coral into your space is through textiles. Experiment with bath towels, curtains, and rugs. Go all in by giving your bed a coral-hued makeover, and by investing in a new duvet that allows you to sink into a room filled with optimism and natural, calming qualities.
6. Inspire Creativity with Fresh Flowers
Not only are fresh blooms soothing on the eyes, but they can inspire creativity, boost mood, and lower stress through their fresh scents and colors. There are a variety of coral-hued flowers including dahlias, Gerbera daisies, orange roses, and chrysanthemums to easily place throughout your home and office space.
7. Add Texture Through Upholstery
Many designers are moving away from traditional, neutral sofas and chairs in favor of more daring colors and fabric choices. Enliven your cushions and poufs with coral fabrics and patterns, sure to set an inviting tone while adding textures and hues. Coral upholstery pairs well with neutral grey color palettes, adding the right pop without overwhelming the design.
8. Get Creative in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a space to disengage and concoct creative meals. In recent years, modern cookware collections have deviated from traditional neutral tones to create color-popping culinary tools. Find coral utensils, pots, pans, mugs, and other cooking instruments that will liven up your kitchen. If you prefer a softer approach, paint the inside of your kitchen cabinets or swap out the knobs for coral accompaniments.
9. Dress for Success
Find Your Pantone Color Based On Birthday
Described by Pantone as “evocative of how coral reefs provide shelter to a diverse kaleidoscope of colour,” coral makes a great addition to your wardrobe. The optimistic shade provides the perfect balance of boldness and serenity to help conquer your daily tasks while making a statement. Opt for a coral blazer or coat, wear coral-colored socks with boots and dress shoes, or find coral accessories such as sunglasses and jewelry to complete your look.
How to Utilize Living Coral in Everyday Life
What Your Pantone Birthday Color Says About You
Call upon Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral, to create a naturally soothing, optimistic atmosphere within your home, work environment, and everyday wear.
Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral, provides the opportunity to enliven and energize the environments in which we live. The hue, which has been a key shade selected by artists and designers alike, is both vibrant and subdued, exhibiting the perfect balance of warmth and optimism. Incorporate the color by painting vintage furniture, choosing coral accessories, and adorning your living and working environments the richness of the hue.
Make Your Own Pantone Color
Sources: Pantone | Vogue | Creative Market | Providence Journal | Hunker