Expert: Tom Rouze - 6/1/2006

Question
I am designing a packaging insert and I need to use a specific Pantone color, which I have found in the matching system, but Illustrator CS2 will not make and or find the specific number (811 C2X, a blaze orange color). How can I solve this? Are there downloadable swatches on a website I don't know about, or is there a different process to create this color? I realize it is a rarely-used color, but still, I should be able to create it.

Answer
Hi Jamie,

The problem is 811 is a flourescent color and cannot be viewed accurately on a monitor or printed on a standard printer.  It must be pigment based printing (these pigments are primarily available for commercial printers because they add elements when creating the ink for the blaze look).
What you can do is create a new swatch and call it 811 Flourescent for the print house that will print the job.  You should check with them to see if they have 811 available or can mix it for you.  811 is actually a blend of 50%-804 and 50%-805.
You could try contacting Pantone Inc 201 935-5500 they may have a better solution but as long as you have call outs in your file and on your proof you shouldn't have a problem with the print house interpreting your job.
Hope this helped.  If you have any other questions please let me know.

Thank you,

Tom