Pantone swatch guides

[im_in_london]

Hi, I'm a freelance designer and am finally getting around to buying Pantone guides. However I'm a bit confused as to what I need, in the past I've just used the basic formula solid coated guide, but do you think it's helpful to have the solid to process as well? How about coated vs. uncoated? Basically I'd like to not spend over £100 as my budget's a bit tight at the moment, so I was wondering if I could get away with only the solid to process. (The full set of 5 guides 'ultimate survival kit' is £180!) Or is it worth spending more as an investment?

Thanks in advance!

[PrintDriver]

Depends on what you design and how you get it printed.

[Margo]

Do you havea printer that you work with locally? They should have all of the PMS books that you would need. Use them as a resource - that is what they are there for! They should be there to help you grow and assist you in anyway that they can. Use their books until you are financially comfortable with purchasing your own.

Also, there are so many variables to consider when designing/printing - please consult your printer to ensure that your project gives you the end result that you so desire.

Best of Luck,

Margo
Bridgetown Printing Co.
Portland, Oregon

[Vikia]

If you are printing mostly in process colors, then it would be smart to get the process book for both coated and uncoated stocks. The inks will look vastly different from one stock to the other.

If you are printing mostly spot colors, then get the spot color guides, again one for coated and one for uncoated.

If you select a color from the coated book and print on uncoated stock, you will likely be disappointed by the color you end up with.

If you cannot afford the books, then always check with the printer for the correct swatch book BEFORE you print.

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www.vikianderson.com (http://www.vikianderson.com)
Corporate Communications, Graphics & Design

[PrintDriver]

Yeah, Coated and Uncoated are NOT interchangeable. May sound stupid to say that but I've had designers give me coated for graphic prints and uncoated for flat finish latex Paint and wonder why the prints don't match the frames. Doh. Now WE ask.

PrintDriver is a large format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

[Kool]

Get the survivors kit. It's a tool in your profession just like that copy of PhotoShop and the PC you are running it on. You will use all of these books and they are much cheaper as a set than purchased individually.


Margo said...
Do you have a printer that you work with locally? They should have all of the PMS books that you would need. Use them as a resource - that is what they are there for! They should be there to help you grow and assist you in anyway that they can. Use their books until you are financially comfortable with purchasing your own.


Also, there are so many variables to consider when designing/printing - please consult your printer to ensure that your project gives you the end result that you so desire.


Margo, Welcome to the forum. You actually lend your PMS books out to designers. You must have some really honest designers where you are. If I did this I would never see them again. LOL

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[DivineDesign]

I'm a student, and I bought my own PMS swatch books. I use them constantly....i got the Solid coated, solid uncoated and solid matte for abotu $100 all together. ;)

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