Pantone Formula Guide Coated & Uncoated 2026

Pantone Formula Guide 2026 : choose a spot colour and send its formula and reference to the printer.

Two fan decks show samples on coated and uncoated paper.

Pantone Formula Guide 2026 — Practical application

Use Formula Guide to select Solid colours and obtain ink mixing formulas.

Define your task and paper type first. Compare tools by function, rather than colour count alone.

What do you get, and what can this version not replace?

Choose Color Bridge to compare Pantone colours with CMYK. Use Solid Chips to share tear-out colour samples.

Product details and contents

How should you evaluate color and select the right set?

Assess samples under suitable lighting and on the correct paper version. Paper, ink and production conditions affect the print result. Evaluate them together.

Adapt formulas to the base-ink system you actually use. Easy Mix BIO does not directly match guide formulas from the 2023 edition onwards.

Questions to consider before purchasing

Is the color number alone sufficient?

No. You must also check the library and the paper designation—either ‘C’ (coated) or ‘U’ (uncoated)—before comparing the sample against your design or production output.

When should you purchase a supplement instead of a full guide?

Buy a supplement if your complete earlier library remains in good condition and you need new references. It cannot restore faded samples.

Compare Other Pantone guides Categorized by function and content, allowing you to select the right tools for your workflow without unnecessary duplication.