Pantone™ PMS 116 C

Actual color may vary from on-screen representation. Please view a physical color swatch or material sample to confirm your color choice prior to purchase.

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PMS 116 C is a Pantone Matching System (PMS) color, widely recognized for its clear, bright, and assertive yellow character. It is frequently described as lively, noticeable, energetic, and clean, with a contemporary utility in branding, display, and industrial design contexts. This color’s high chroma and moderately high LRV (light reflectance value: 66.01) contribute to its vivid and highly readable appearance on both print and painted surfaces.

PMS 116 C appears as a strong, mid-light yellow with notable brightness. The color exhibits a distinctly warm tendency, leaning towards a pure yellow hue. PMS 116 C has high saturation, resulting in vivid visual impact. It presents a clean yellow undertone without significant orange or green bias. This color is highly sensitive to variations in finish and lighting; gloss or high-illumination will amplify brightness and saturation.

PMS 116 C is often used for branding elements where attention and clarity are needed. The color is specified in environments requiring high visual impact, such as signage, POP displays, and marketing installations. Frequently utilized for prototypes and models that must accurately represent corporate brand colors.

PMS 116 C is most effective when maximum visibility and color consistency are critical, such as in branded displays and marketing collaterals. For best results, confirm color appearance using a physical Pantone guide and a painted sample viewed in the intended lighting and finish, as gloss level and ambient light can significantly alter perceived vibrancy. Highly saturated yellows like PMS 116 C may require additional coats for opacity, particularly over dark or mixed substrates, and can appear different than ink or digital references due to substrate and application differences. Assessment of finish and surface preparation should be performed in advance to control for coverage and sheen variability.

This Pantone PMS color is defined by the Pantone Matching System standard. Evaluate the color using a physical Pantone reference and a real paint sample in the intended lighting and finish. Paint appearance varies by finish and lighting.

- The following examples reflect commonly cited branding associations and are based on publicly referenced design usage; they are illustrative, not exhaustive or exclusive. - PMS 116 C is widely cited as a principal yellow in the visual identity of several global brands, including the main yellow in the McDonald's “Golden Arches” logo. - This color is commonly referenced in university brand standards, such as the University of Michigan’s palette. - PMS 116 C is often used in professional sports team branding, including various North American teams noted for prominent yellow-gold elements.

Similar colors:
PMS 123 C is a lighter, less saturated yellow, often perceived as softer and lower in visual impact than PMS 116 C.

PMS 109 C is a slightly cooler, less chromatic yellow, lacking the vividness and warmth typical of PMS 116 C.

PMS 137 C is a darker, more orange-inflected yellow, providing more warmth but lower brightness than PMS 116 C.

Product Data

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About Pantone and MyPerfectColor

MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 116 C color in spray paint and other paints.

MyPerfectColor helps marketing professionals turn graphic designs into physical reality. Whether you are a manufacturer, entrepreneur, industrial designer, prototyper/modeler, marketer, agency, printer, retailer, sign manufacturer, exhibit fabricator or architect, MyPerfectColor will help you nail the PMS 116 C color and produce outstanding results.

MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 116 C color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 116 C color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 116 C Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

The Pantone PMS 116 C color may vary from the PANTONE Color Standards based on lighting conditions, angle of view and/or due to differences in pigments, manufacturing process, substrate and/or limitations in the color capability of the paint. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. Portions © Pantone LLC, 2019. Produced under License Agreement between MyPerfectColor.com and Pantone LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pantone™ PMS 116 C

How do I ensure I order the correct color when requesting PMS 116 C paint?

To avoid errors, always specify the exact Pantone code and suffix when ordering PMS 116 C. The code 'PMS 116 C' indicates a specific color and finish standard in the Pantone Matching System. Relying on just the color name or omitting the suffix could result in a wrong target. Double-check your brand guidelines for any unique finish or series requirements. When in doubt, reference a physical Pantone guide to confirm the target and communicate all code details in your order.

Can I get PMS 116 C paint faster if I am facing a tight marketing deadline?

If you have a time-sensitive project requiring PMS 116 C, you can select expedited production during checkout. For critical deadlines, contact MyPerfectColor in advance to confirm availability and shipping options for your specific PMS 116 C order. This approach helps ensure your branded displays or marketing installations stay on schedule.

Why is it important to use authorized paint for Pantone PMS 116 C?

Pantone PMS 116 C is a licensed color standard that requires precise and authorized reproduction. MyPerfectColor is authorized to produce Pantone PMS colors in paint, supporting brand consistency and visual accuracy for branding and marketing projects. Using non-authorized sources increases the risk of color variation and potential rejection in brand-critical applications.

How do I choose the right paint type for PMS 116 C when used indoors or outdoors?

For PMS 116 C projects, select a paint type based on whether the item will be inside or exposed to outdoor conditions. Use interior paint for indoor displays, prototypes, and signage not subject to sun or moisture. Choose exterior paint or a format suited for outdoor durability if your display or branded environment will be exposed to weather. Confirm the application needs before ordering to ensure color consistency and performance.

How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 116 C?

All paint is custom-made to order. While most orders ship within 48 hours, the lead-time for paint made to match Pantone PMS 116 C depends on the type of paint needed. Interior and exterior house paints usually ship within 1 to 3 business days, while custom spray paint typically takes 3-5 business days to ship. The transit time depends on your location and the shipping method you choose. If your need is immediate, select Expedited Production during checkout. Most expedited production orders ship within 24 hours on business days. Please contact MyPerfectColor if you are concerned about a specific deadline. We do our best to make sure you get your paint on time. Learn more about paint lead times at MyPerfectColor.

Can I use the Pantone PMS 116 C for touch up?

Unfortunately, no.

Some manufacturers specify Pantone colors as touch up for their products, but Pantone does not work well as a proxy for a touch-up solution (for a litany of reasons such as it doesn't include sheen and Pantone color tolerances are not tight enough for touch up). When we match Pantone colors we are matching to a swatch in a Pantone book - not to your product.

The only way we can provide a touch-up solution for your product is for you send us a part. We would use the part to create a touch-up grade match. Unfortunately, there isn't an effective way to 'spec' the color well enough to produce a touch up without the part.

Read more about using Pantone for touch-up.

Learn more about our paint color matching service.

How do I buy paint in the Pantone PMS 116 C?

Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 116 C with no minimum order quantities. MyPerfectColor offers spray paint, paint pens, touch up bottles, water-based acrylics, epoxies, urethanes and a variety of other paints. Select the Paint Type button above to get started. Learn more about buying paint at MyPerfectColor.

How much area will one spray can cover? And what is Pantone PMS 116 C spray paint made of?

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 116 C. MyPerfectColor uses an acrylic enamel which is a fast-drying durable coating suitable for interior or exterior use. MyPerfectColor custom spray paint enables you to conveniently achieve a professional spray-smooth finish in any color in any sheen. It sticks well to most surfaces including metal, plastics, powder-coatings, cabinets and primed or previously painted wood.

The 11oz spray will cover about 20 square feet per coat. Keep in mind that it is difficult to gauge how much spray you'll need as it is highly dependent on how it is applied. It is better to have too much than run short.

How do I get the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for paint matched to Pantone PMS 116 C?

The Pantone PMS 116 C is the color and the SDS is based on the type of paint used to make the color. You can find Safety Data Sheets here for our most popular products.

Do I need a primer for Pantone PMS 116 C?

The need for primer for Pantone PMS 116 C depends on the type of paint, the substrate being painted and where it will be located. See our Primer Selection Table to see what primer you might need and learn more about when you might need a primer. Most people don't use a primer for a touch up paint application, but a primer may improve adhesion and is typically recommended for exterior applications.

How do I convert PMS 116 C to a different color from another paint company?

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 116 C in paint, we don't provide any crossover information. We've found that every paint company offers its own unique selection of colors and rarely does a color have an exact equivalent in another company's color collection, especially for a color collection like Pantone which is designed for bright colors and inks.