Pantone Color Identification
Pantone uses a number of unique coding schemes, with prefixes and suffixes, to identify which palette a color is from. They are as follows:
Pantone solid colors
The Pantone solid palette is the basis for the Pantone Matching System.
Pantone Solid colors are identified by three or four digit numbers, and suffixes. They are used by Graphics and Print professionals, and are the most common Pantone palette. For example, Pantone 199 Red can be identified as:
Color Suffix
Pantone 199C C= Coated Paper
Pantone 199U U= Uncoated Paper
Pantone 199M M=Matte Paper
Pantone 199CV CV= Computer Video
Pantone 199CVU CVU= Computer Video Uncoated Paper
Pantone 199CVC CVC=C omputer Video Coated Paper
More info on Pantone solid formula guides and chip books
Pantone process colors
Pantone process colors are identified by a DS precusor, one to three digits,a dash, a single digit, and then a suffix. Pantone process colors are created using CMYK blends, and are used by designers, printers and publishers.For example, Pantone DS-97-1C
Color Prefix Suffix
Pantone DS-97-1C DS= Digital Screen C= Coated Paper
More info on Pantone process guides
Pantone textile colors
The Pantone for Fashion and Home colors are identified by two digits, followed by a dash, four digits, and then a suffix. They also have a name, as a secondary identifier.
Fashion and Home was formerly known as the Textile palette, and is used by fashion, textile, and apparel designers and manufacturers worldwide. For example Pantone 19-2430 could be identified as follows:
Color Color Name Suffix
Pantone 19-2430 TP Purple Potion TP= Textile Paper (Old suffix, replaced by TPX)
Pantone 19-2430 TPX Purple Potion TPX= Textile Paper eXtended
Pantone 19-2430 TC Purple Potion TC= Textile Cotton