The Drama Unfolds: Adobe and PANTONE's Colorful Breakup

Matic Bončina

• 1 min read

In the past, Adobe and PANTONE hit a rough patch, leading to PANTONE colors disappearing from Adobe programs. To reclaim those vibrant hues without splurging, I've got you covered. Whether you're a design pro or a newbie, this guide will steer you through the PANTONE-Adobe dilemma.

Let's face it, not everyone can afford an extra subscription, especially freelancers and small businesses. Thankfully, there’s a way to get those old PANTONE books back into your latest Adobe software. It involves a bit of manual work, but it’s worth it.

Step 1: Download the PANTONE Books

First things first, you need to get your hands on the old PANTONE books that were still supported up until 2019. You can download these libraries from this link as a zip file.

After downloading, unzip the file and keep the folder somewhere accessible. I keep it on my "Creative" drive.

Step 2: Install PANTONE Books in Adobe Photoshop (macOS)

  1. Access Adobe Photoshop 2024 > Presets > Color Books.
  2. Copy the PANTONE libraries into this directory.

Using Your New PANTONE Swatches

Now that you’ve installed the PANTONE books, let’s use them in Photoshop.

  1. Select Your Color: Use the Eyedropper tool to pick a color from your image.
  2. Access Color Libraries: Double-click the foreground color to open the Color Picker. Click the ‘Color Libraries’ button.
  3. Choose Your PANTONE Book: Select the appropriate PANTONE book from the dropdown. For example, select ‘Solid Uncoated’ if you’re working with uncoated paper.
  4. Select Your Color: Photoshop will show the closest PANTONE match. Select it and use it in your design.

Every Adobe program is slightly different, but I am sure you'll be able to find it relatively easily.

Ensuring Color Accuracy in Printing

Color accuracy is crucial, especially in professional printing. Make sure the PANTONE names in your files match those in the printer’s database. In other words, use the same collection :)

This ensures that the colors will be printed accurately, whether you’re using an offset press or a digital printer.

Happy designing!