Pantone Develops 112 New Graphics Colors
To Reflect New Possibilities of Design

Carlstadt, N.J., March 1, 2016 – As digital transformation drives new, visual forms of expression, color is a key element that inspires and enables creativity. To offer the most comprehensive palette for the design community, Pantone LLC (an X-Rite company), known as the global color authority and manufacturer of color standards, today launched 112 New PANTONE Colors for graphic design. The addition brings the total color count of their graphic design PANTONE PLUS SERIES to 1,867 colors.

To celebrate the addition of the 112 new hues, Pantone collaborated with leading designers renowned for embracing color in their work, including Jessica Walsh of Sagmeister & Walsh, famed book cover designer Chip Kidd and Eddie Opara of Pentagram. Each designer created new, original works inspired the 112 new colors. The digital works will roll out on Pantone’s Instagram page in a campaign titled, “New Colors, New Possibilities” marked with the hashtag #PantoneNewColors.

“Color is a visual cue that draws us to establish a connection with our environment and the things we love,” said, Kathryn Shah, VP of Marketing Pantone. “Digital tools have become a prominent part of everyday life, causing a societal shift in the way we communicate. Color breaks through the noise, commanding our attention, conveying a mood or style, and enabling expression of unique identities for individuals and brands alike. That’s what this palette and our new campaign are about – exploring creative expression through endless color.”

Leveraging international trend-spotting intelligence from Pantone Color Institute™, the new palette incorporates key design trends across industries, but also serves as an important signifier of new cultural and social influences on the overall movement of color. During product development, Pantone surveyed hundreds of designers across graphics, packaging, print and web design. The findings indicated a desire for more Blushes, Blues and Neutrals.

The use of Neutrals, Blushes and nuanced Blues in branding and packaging design are representative of the simplified design aesthetic that has been building since White became an iconic symbol of functionality and clean design. In addition, the deepening of Red, Orange and Brown shades reflect a shift toward earth-driven and organic lifestyles, while also conveying the new luxury of living well. As individuals feel less inhibited by their color choices, bright and bold shades encourage designers to explore, imagine and be playful. The result is a comprehensive and powerful color palette that will look and feel familiar, but also fresh, engaging and exciting.

Adorned on each new PANTONE PLUS SERIES guide are 3rd edition artist covers, featuring the work of two artists from PANTONE Canvas, Pantone’s free, online portfolio sharing network powered by Bēhance. The PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE and PANTONE SOLID CHIPS feature Janine Rewell from her project “Bodypaint Collaboration for MINNA PARIKKA.” PANTONE COLOR BRIDGE® will feature covers inspired by designer Daina Umberto, from his vibrant and illustrative project entitled, “Rosa & Blue – No. 01” and “Rosa & Blue – No. 07.”

PANTONE PLUS SERIES FORMULA GUIDE, COLOR BRIDGE, and SOLID CHIPS Supplements are now available via Pantone.com/plus and Authorized Pantone Dealers. In addition, X-Rite will simultaneously release all 112 Pantone Master and Dependent Color Libraries through PantoneLIVE, a cloud-based solution available through subscription.

Pricing and Availability:

• PANTONE PLUS SERIES FORMULA GUIDE Coated & Uncoated     $155.00
• PANTONE PLUS SERIES SOLID CHIPS Coated & Uncoated     $370.00
• PANTONE PLUS SERIES SOLID COLOR Set     $419.00
  o (FORMULA GUIDE Coated & Uncoated + SOLID CHIPS Coated & Uncoated)
• PANTONE PLUS SERIES COLOR BRIDGE® Set Coated &Uncoated     $279.00
• PANTONE PLUS SERIES COLOR BRIDGE® Guide Coated     $175.00
• PANTONE PLUS SERIES COLOR BRIDGE® Guide Uncoated     $175.00
• Additional product bundles available through PANTONE distribution channels

About Pantone and the Pantone Color Institute

Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is the global color authority and provider of professional color standards for the design industries. Pantone products have encouraged colorful exploration and expressions of creativity from inspiration to implementation for more than 50 years. Through the Pantone Color Institute, Pantone continues to chart future color direction and study how color influences human thought processes, emotions and physical reactions. Pantone furthers its commitment to providing professionals with a greater understanding of color and to help them utilize color more effectively. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information is available at www.pantone.com/plus. For the latest news, trends, information and conversations, connect with Pantone on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About X-Rite

Founded in 1958, X-Rite, Incorporated is a global leader in color science and technology. With its wholly owned subsidiary Pantone, X-Rite employs more than 800 people in 11 countries. The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Grand Rapids, Mich., with regional headquarters in Europe and Asia and service centers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. X-Rite Pantone offers a full range of color management solutions used by manufacturers, retailers, printers, photographers and graphic design houses to achieve precise management and communication of color throughout their processes. X-Rite Pantone products and services are recognized standards in the printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles and medical industries. For further information, please visit www.xrite.com.

Contact

Molly Walsh
Pantone LLC
(201) 777-5957
mwalsh@pantone.com

Monique Krasniqi
Kwittken
(646) 747-0097
mkrasniqi@kwittken.com

PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. © 2016. All rights reserved..