The Pantone Matching System was created by Lawrence Herbet in 1963 in order to solve the problems associated with producing accurate and consistent colors by creating standardized colors of ink through detailed measurements and ink mixing. One of the biggest advantages in using specific Pantone colors in your digital files is the color reproduction will be identical every time you print. This is how a company such as coca cola can produce the exact red (PMS 75-1) in their logo for example, no matter which printing company they use.

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) system uses pre-determined, published color formulas to create a large number of ink colors. Similar to the paint swatch guides you find at your favorite paint store, the pantone color chart contains thousands of color swatches created from a palette of basic colors. Creating a Pantone spot color is similar to mixing paint such as blue and yellow to get green, but with much more precision. Each color has a ‘PMS’ number assigned to it. These numbers are used to identify the exact color needed. The specified ink is then prepared using the correct mixture of base colors, either purchased pre-mixed from an ink company or mixed on-site at the printing company. Using PMS inks is called spot color printing.

Pros and cons of printing with Pantone
Color is very subjective, which is why the Pantone Matching System works so well. It takes all the guesswork out of color identification. Every computer monitor is different, every printer is different. By standardizing the colors, manufacturers and customers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match. It is used by many printers and graphic artists to deliver reliable, reproducible colors to their customers. The ink manufacturers who create the base color inks are strictly licensed by Pantone for color accuracy.
Even though Pantone is a great option in certain cases, it doesn’t always make sense to incorporate it into your printing project. Using spot colors can be more expensive than process inks (CMYK) due to the extra production costs involved in “washing up” and changing out the ink in the press, particularly when using more than one or two PMS colors depending on the printer’s manufacturing equipment and processes. Since CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) process printing uses the same base colors all the time, it’s a more cost-effective solution.

When to print with Pantone
There are certain times in commercial printing when your colors have to be exact. That’s when you should consider using PMS colors, either on their own or added to standard four-color process printing. Here are a few examples:

1. Consistent Branding/Logos – Think McDonald’s red or UPS brown. Using PMS colors for your logo and stationery will allow you to ensure color accuracy and establish a standard that anyone working with your artwork will be able to match.
2. Colors outside the range of CMYK – There are some colors that just can’t be produced with CMYK, including colors such as navy blue or bright orange.
3. Color consistency from page to page – If you are printing a booklet or catalog where you need a solid block of color to be consistent from page to page, it might be worth using Pantone. When printing a solid color with process inks, slight variations in the color balance can affect the consistency of the color.
4. Smooth coverage of large areas – A PMS color works well when the consistency and saturation of large areas of a solid ink color is important.

As you can see, there are a variety of things to consider when deciding whether you should use PMS colors or stick with four color process printing. It’s important to look at each project individually and weigh all the factors to come to an informed decision.

Waste is a symptom of an inefficient process. Preventing waste increases efficiency. Increasing efficiency increases profits. Theoretically speaking, it is better to prevent the generation of waste than it is to recycle. You can only recycle waste that you have failed to prevent. So, place your emphasis on reducing waste if you can, then recycle the waste that you must generate.

Reduce
- Adjust your print settings to print on both sides by default.

- Print in grayscale when possible

- Make computer files, not paper files when possible. If you have not explored computer alternatives to paper in a couple years, then you really have a lot of catching up to do. Numerous free or inexpensive software programs, such as Stickies or NoteWhen can reduce or eliminate the need for sticky notes and note pads.

- Recent advances in computer software make it easy to create documents that are encrypted, password protected, and safe from either unauthorized access or alteration. Backups can also be transferred over secure internet connections for off-site storage.

Reuse
- Reuse envelopes and send them through the mail again whenever possible. We understand that business do not like to send some types of mail in used envelopes for reasons of corporate image. However, many businesses conduct a fair amount of mailing of types where corporate image in not a factor. For this type of mailing, use labels to cover the old address on used envelopes. Some companies sell reuse labels for envelopes, which have a discrete message at the bottom explaining that this envelope was reused to save trees.

- Have each staff persons set aside paper that they use on only one side, so that it can be reused for printing drafts in your printer, or glued together to make scratch pads. As staff accumulate paper, they can transfer it to a centrally located storage box, possibly next to a printer or photocopiers.

- Use padding compound, the glue that holds paper together in tablets, to make scratch pads form your paper that was used only on one side. Padding compound is available from many office supply stores.

- Buy “recycled” toner cartridges, and send your spent toner cartridges to be “recycled”. Commercially, this is referred to as recycling, but it is actually a form of reuse.

- Encourage staff to use reusable coffee mugs when they pick up coffee in the morning on their way into the office. Hang a mug reuse poster in your break room.
- Invest in rechargeable batteries and battery chargers for digital cameras, flashlights, and other small devices. If your staff can be trusted to not accidentally throw away or lose the rechargeable batteries, in the long run it would be cheaper and better for the environment.

Recycle
- Recycle glass, plastic, metal cans, white paper, and mixed paper and organics as you do at home.

- To start a recycling program, determine which material you want to recycle, find someone to pick up the material, put recycling bins around your office, and get staff to participate. That is “all” there is to it. Having commitment from your management to encourage staff will help.

- Reduce Packaging. Select products from suppliers and manufactures that use minimal packaging. If you buy paper by the case, buy paper that is not packaged in individual reams. If you buy cleaning agents by the case, buy those that do not have cardboard dividers between the bottles. Look for similar waste reduction opportunities in all your purchasing. If you work for company large enough to make a difference, tell the manufactures that your selections are based on the amount of packaging that they use.

- Reuse packing material whenever possible, and look for ways to reduce its use when you send products to customers.