Pantone™ PMS 255 C

When using PMS 255 C for prototypes or concept models, select a paint format suitable for your process, such as spray paint or paint pens, to closely replicate the intended final appearance. It is best to apply PMS 255 C to the same type of substrate and under lighting conditions similar to the end use. Evaluate color alignment at this stage to identify any shift in appearance due to material or environment, and consider ordering small samples before expanding to a full production run.

PMS 255 C is highly sensitive to finish. Gloss or satin sheens will intensify its depth and vibrancy, while matte finishes can cause the color to appear more muted and less intense. When selecting a sheen, consider how the surface will be viewed and how it will look under your specific lighting. For brand displays where visual impact is key, test PMS 255 C in your intended sheen on the real substrate before committing to a full project to ensure it meets expectations.

PMS 255 C, like all Pantone PMS colors, specifies a color target but does not account for substrate variations or the original coating's sheen and application process. This means using PMS 255 C for touch-up purposes on existing finishes will likely lead to visible differences and inconsistent results. It is best reserved for new brand-facing applications where color is specified up front and the process can be controlled for brand accuracy.

For projects requiring brand approval, order a small sample of PMS 255 C in your preferred format and sheen. Apply this sample to the actual project substrate and review it under the installed lighting conditions. This step helps confirm the color appearance before committing to larger quantities, ensuring that PMS 255 C meets visual brand requirements and reduces the risk of costly mismatches or rework.

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.

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 255 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.

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 255 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.