1
How do you select the colors for the FHI system?
In today’s complex and challenging marketplace, color is often that catalyst that sparks the sale, defines the space, and creates the mood. We select colors for the FHI system based on three important and distinct criteria. First, our global team of color trend forecasters look at the movement of color trends to ensure your palettes are fresh, modern, and relevant. Of course, we also understand the importance of core colors and the integral role they play in building your seasonal color stories. Therefore, we look at the color needs of the industries we serve and those we would like to better impact to ensure a comprehensive set of core and trend shades. Lastly, we only select colors that are easily achievable and reproducible, for greater usability and efficiency.
2
How are Pantone Textiles produced?
We choose cotton as our textile of choice because it is stable and versatile, enabling it to be more accepted as a color standard across a wider variety of material applications. Each of the colors contained in the FHI system uses dyestuffs that are globally available, approved, and optimized for color constancy and colorfastness. Our cotton system endures a five-step quality process to ensure the accuracy of the color at every stage of production and packing.
3
What is the difference between the Swatch Card and other cotton products?
All of the colors contained in our FHI cotton products are color references. The Pantone SMART Swatch Card is the definitive color standard, produced within a 0.5 Delta E tolerance to ensure color consistency. The swatch card is double-layered and un-backed on a non-optically brightened paper card then housed in a sealed, UV-protected pouch to protect the fabric from light and humidity. Only with the SMART Swatch Card can you ensure that your internal teams and production partners understand exact color intent.
4
Can the Color Guide (TPG) be used for textile applications?
To ensure the closest visual match, we recommend using the material format that is closest to your end use application. We recommend our textile cotton products (TCX) for all fabric applications. Because each material takes color differently, the same color in cotton, plastic, and on lacquered paper can vary slightly.
5
How does the naming convention work for FHI colors?
Each FHI system color has a unique name and number, such as in 15-1247 Tangerine. That color is differentiated across materials through a unique suffix. For lacquered coatings, the color would be noted as 15-1247 TPG Tangerine. For cotton, it would be noted as 15-1247 TCX Tangerine. In addition, for plastics, it would be noted as PQ 15-1247 TCX Tangerine.
6
Why should you update your Pantone Guides & Books?
Handling, light, humidity, and oil will cause colors to become inaccurate and you could be missing the latest market and trend driven colors. How many colors are you missing?
7
Which guide is right for me?