How to Find Pantone Colors in Photoshop

A common color-matching system used all around the world is the Pantone Color System or PMS. It was created to make it easier for designers and printers to choose and manage colors for printing jobs.

Pantone colors can be important to use in Photoshop specifically for some projects or jobs. Since Pantone colors are universal you can always be certain that the Pantone color on one project will stay the same if you need it for another. 

My name is Aly, I have been using Photoshop for over five years, and I am Adobe certified. In this tutorial, I am going to be showing you how you can find Pantone colors in Photoshop. 

Key Takeaways

• Pantone provides us with two separate color schemes: the “Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors System” and the “Pantone Color Matching System (PMS)” (FHI). 
• These systems all have distinct functions and they are useful depending on the color that is required.

How to Find Pantone Colors in Photoshop

Using Pantone colors in your designs is a terrific way to give them uniqueness. Let me show you how to find and use them in Photoshop. 

Step 1: Open Photoshop and select the Active Color Box from the toolbar. A color selection box will display. Click the color library button there.

Step 2: The menu will appear as a drop-down. Click the Book dropdown and find the Pantone book colors. 

Step 3: If you need a specific Pantone color, just start typing the name and it will pop up on the menu. Once you are finished, click OK. 

It’s crucial to keep in mind that Pantone colors may not show exactly as they do in the Pantone book when utilizing them in Photoshop. As a result, the colors may appear darker or lighter than they actually are. This is because every monitor shows colors differently.

Final Thoughts

Finding Pantone colors in Photoshop is really easy to do and will be necessary in case you ever need a certain color. I can’t tell you the number of times I have had a project that needs a specific Pantone color and it’s quick for me to get to and find. 

Also, check out the multiple books of Pantone colors as it’s a good idea to see what it all includes. 

Any questions about finding Pantone colors in Photoshop? Leave a comment and let me know.

As a graphic designer who uses the entire Adobe Suite on a daily basis, Photoshop is my inspiration, especially since I'm Adobe certified and use it most often for my graphics and web-designed images.