how do i convert rgb to pantone?

If you're a professional in the world of print, design and color, the chances are you've come across the trouble of having to convert rgb to pantone colors. RGB (Red Green Blue) is an additive color system used in digital products like screens and lights, while Pantone is a subtractive color system best used for printing. The two systems may use the same names for colors but they are completely different values when it comes down to it. Fortunately, there is an easy process to follow in order to make sure that your colors transition from RGB to Pantone in one perfect swoop.

First things first: You'll need to get your hands on some Pantone Fashion + Home Color Guides for accurate color comparison and identification. These can be found in their respective libraries or online with various retailers depending on where you're located.

Once you have this and your design project file open, refer to the identities of the colors within your project and match them up with their corresponding Pantone swatch from your guidebook or other library reference information. Note - A quick Google image search might also work here if all else fails! Here are a few examples;

 

RGB # FF0000 = Pantone 485 C

RGB # B7CA79 = Pantone 7543 C

RGB # 3B2E3C = Pantone 7511 U

 

Next, you'll need to adjust your settings of your program so that it can identify and pick up on each particular color as its respective Pantone version. To do this, go into Edit > Color Settings > Select 'Pantone solid coated' library as the Main Base Version option, before clicking ok. Now they should all match up! If you're working on Adobe programs such as Photoshop or InDesign (or any type of vector editing platform), use the Eyedropper tool (or similar) and select each individual color from its new found name sample before syncing all points affected by it accordingly with their own code according to its new identity - i.e 0073C (or whatever has been specified). And just like that...you've worked out how to convert RGB to Pantone with relative ease!