Expert: Laith Ibrahim - 2/5/2008

Question
What is the difference between a Process swatch and Pantone swatch? When would it be appropriate for me to use either one of these?

Answer
Hi Connie,
I believe you meant to say Pantone Process and Pantone Spot (Solid) colors because these two are the ones commonly used by graphic designers.

Pantone is the company that makes all these fan-like swatch guides. You can find a good source of information about colors at their website: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx

Pantone provides a large number of colors along with their different codes. The most well known are:
1. Solid Colors (also known as Spot colors)
2. Process Colors
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The solid number seems as it is a digit of 3 or 4 numbers and have an alphabet at the end. The alphabet can be:

C = coated
U = uncoated
M = matte

So before you start working on your design, think about the paper that it will be printed on. Use "Coated" (C) if you select glossy paper, use "Uncoated" (U)if printing on uncoated paper and finally use "Matte" (M) when you plan on having your design printed on matte paper.
Spot colors are commonly used in corporate logos and identity programs, and in one, two or three-color jobs.
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The second one is the Process; it is the process of using four colors. It is also known as CMYK pallet.

C = Cyan
M = Magenta
Y = Yellow
K = Black.
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Your decision on which color scheme to use depends on the design itself. If you have a one color, 2 or 3 color job select spot (solid) colors for best results. A business card with a company logo that uses a certain solid color should be done using solid colors because using process colors (4 color printing) will convert the logo's color to a CMYK color which isn't always a good simulation of the original color. It will also be cheaper to use solid colors in this example.

Use process color if you  have a colorful design with full-color pictures. All colors used in your design will use a combination of CMYK.

I hope that the above information was helpful.Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Good luck with your future designs.

Laith