Pantone PC is an obsolete designation used in earlier versions of PANTONE COLOR BRIDGE to indicate a specific type of color simulation.
Based on the provided reference, the designation PC stood for:
- Process simulation
- Coated paper
This meant that a color labeled with "PC" was a simulation of a standard Pantone Spot Color printed using CMYK process inks on coated paper.
Understanding Pantone PC
In printing and design, simulating spot colors using the four process inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black - CMYK) is common, especially when budget or printing method doesn't allow for actual spot inks. The appearance of these simulated colors can vary significantly depending on the paper type. Coated paper, which has a smooth, often glossy or matte finish, affects how ink sits on the surface and how colors appear compared to uncoated paper.
The "PC" designation, therefore, indicated how a specific Pantone Spot Color looked when simulated with CMYK on coated paper stock.
Key Points about PC Designation
- Purpose: To show the CMYK equivalent appearance of a Pantone Spot Color.
- Paper Type: Specifically for coated paper.
- Process: Used process simulation (CMYK).
- Status: According to the reference, this designation is now obsolete.
Example
The reference provides the example:
- PANTONE 185 PC
This designation would have shown how the standard PANTONE 185 spot color appeared when printed using CMYK inks on coated paper.
This designation is no longer current in the latest Pantone guides, which use different suffixes (like CP for Coated Process) to indicate CMYK simulations on coated stock.
