Pantone® color finder
Browse, search and select Pantone® colors. Some packaging prints require coated colors, while others require uncoated colors. Click any color to copy the code. Colors may appear different in print than on screen.
Pantone Coated vs. Uncoated – which should you use for packaging?
Not sure whether to use a Coated (C) or Uncoated (U) Pantone colour for your packaging? It's one of the most common questions when ordering custom printed packaging, and the answer depends on the material you're printing on.
Coated (C) colours
Coated Pantone colours are designed for printing on coated paper – a smooth, slightly glossy surface. Most custom packaging such as printed paper cups, pizza boxes, and food wrapping paper use coated materials. Coated colours appear more vibrant and saturated, making them the right choice for most branded packaging.
Uncoated (U) colours
Uncoated Pantone colours are designed for printing on uncoated, matte paper. Because uncoated paper absorbs more ink, the same colour code will look slightly duller and softer compared to the coated version. If you're printing on kraft paper or natural uncoated materials, use the Uncoated reference.
Tips for using Pantone colours on packaging
Keep these things in mind to make sure your brand colours look right every time:
Always check your brand guidelines Most professional logos have a specific Pantone code assigned. Make sure you use the correct 'C' or 'U' version depending on your packaging material.
Screen colours are not accurate The colours on this chart are as close as a screen can display, but screens use RGB light. Your printed result will always look slightly different. For colour-critical work, always verify against a physical Pantone colour book.
Brown kraft changes everything If you're printing on brown kraft paper, the background colour will affect the final result. A yellow Pantone colour on brown kraft will look very different from the same colour on white paper.
Ready to put your Pantone colour to use? Explore our range of custom printed packaging and upload your design with the exact Pantone code.
How to find a Pantone colour from a HEX or RGB code
Already have a HEX or RGB colour from your brand guidelines and need to find the closest Pantone match? Use the search bar above and type in your HEX code (including the # symbol, e.g. #FF5733) or the Pantone name directly. The tool will show you the closest available Pantone Solid Coated colour so you can copy the exact code for your print file.
Keep in mind that HEX and RGB colours exist in a wider colour space than Pantone. There is not always a perfect 1:1 match, so the closest Pantone colour may look slightly different from your original digital colour when printed.