Pantone metallics (871–877) we print
Printed metal flake, not foil. A sheen, never a mirror: and worth knowing the difference before you specify it.
On-screen approximation: not a colour-accurate reference. Match to a physical PANTONE® chip before you sign off.
On our stocks
Metallic flakes lose much of their sheen in cotton fibres and hold better on coated stock. Coloured sheets change their apparent tone; use foil when a crisp, reflective metal mark matters more than a satin ink effect.
What to know before you specify one
- Metallic PMS is a printed approximation of metal: aluminium or bronze flake suspended in ink. It has a sheen, not a mirror. Foil is actual metal transferred under heat and pressure: reflective, sharp, and unmistakably different in the hand. If the brand asset is 'gold', foil gives a reflective highlight while metallic ink gives a satin sheen.
- 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.
Colours with a full write-up
Common questions
- Do these metallics (871–877) shift on uncoated stock?
- Yes. Metallic flakes lose sheen in absorbent fibres. Expect a flatter metal on uncoated paper and consider foil for a brighter reflection.
- Can I get these metallics (871–877) 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.
- Can metallic ink look like a mirror on cotton?
- No. Cotton absorbs the vehicle and scatters the metallic effect. Foil holds a separate reflective surface and is the better choice for a bright metal highlight.
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.