Pantone blues we print
Our single most-run family. Navies read almost black on uncoated; brights lose their edge and need checking on a physical chip.
On-screen approximation: not a colour-accurate reference. Match to a physical PANTONE® chip before you sign off.
On our stocks
Deep blues soften toward slate on cotton; coated stock keeps more of their depth and saturation. A coloured sheet can obscure the blue entirely, so opaque foil is better for a light blue mark on dark stock.
32 colours
Left: coated · Right: uncoatedWhat to know before you specify one
- The same ink is not the same colour on the two stocks. On coated sheets the ink sits on a sealed surface: denser, brighter, sharper edges. On uncoated the fibres absorb it: softer, duller, slightly lighter, and warm colours lose the most punch. Some colours change character outright: brights go chalky, deep navies go grey-blue.
- Offset and letterpress inks are translucent. On a dark or coloured stock a light ink will not cover: it sinks into the sheet and reads tone-on-tone. For light colour on dark paper the answer is foil stamping or an opaque screen pass, never a straight PMS hit.
Common questions
- Do these blues shift on uncoated stock?
- Yes. Uncoated fibres absorb the ink, so it generally reads softer and less saturated. Judge the physical chip that matches your stock.
- Can I get these blues on dark paper?
- Standard offset and letterpress inks are translucent. For light colour on dark paper, choose opaque foil or a suitable screen-printing pass instead.
- Can you match one of these in CMYK instead?
- Sometimes. A process approximation may suit imagery, but large flat brand colours show the difference more clearly. Compare the physical references for the chosen stock.
- Does Reflex Blue need different handling?
- Reflex Blue can dry slowly and transfer onto adjacent sheets in a heavy solid. We review coverage and drying time when planning the job; a smaller solid or another blue may suit the artwork better.
PANTONE® is a registered trademark of Pantone LLC. Print Peppermint is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pantone LLC. Codes are referenced to identify the inks we print.