How to Convert CMYK to Pantone

What’s the most reliable way to convert Pantone to CMYK or CMYK to Pantone?

At least once in a graphic designer’s career that question has been spoken aloud, or more likely, created a slight panic within – “How do I convert Pantone to CMYK or, alternatively, convert CMYK to Pantone?” Your client counts on you to insure proper color branding based on company style guides. Unfortunately, converting CMYK to Pantone is not an exact science, but there are products that can make Pantone CMYK conversion manageable.

Color is far more than shade or even color space. A first step to conversion is a Pantone color chart for CMYK. Why is it so important?  For many high profile companies, color is a brand. A High Court in Great Britain ruled this year that Pantone 2685C, Cadbury’s well-known purple, can be exclusive to the company’s Daily Milk candy bar packaging, icing out their competition. In the U.S., Christian Louboutin sued for the right to own Pantone No 18-1663 TP, a color that graces the soles of all of the designer’s shoes. The court agreed.
With this in mind, it is vital that a designer ensure absolute accuracy in color reproduction.

Pantone CMYK Conversion

So what are your CMYK to Pantone converter options? The best starting point would be a CMYK to Pantone chart (or a Pantone to CMYK conversion chart). These should be used as an initial reference since it is difficult to make an exact color match visually.

Once visually matched, Pantone has created several options for Pantone CMYK conversion success.