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Pantone™ PMS 401 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 401 C is a Pantone Matching System color designed for consistent use across a range of branded and fabricated environments. In the context of the PMS (Pantone Matching System) collection, this color aligns with the need for technical consistency, visual neutrality, and broad compatibility with a variety of design elements. The overall vibe is understated, stable, functional, and professional with a subtle warmth that enables adaptable integration into visual identities or environments without appearing harsh or cold.
PMS 401 C presents as a light to mid-tone gray, with a moderate visual brightness (LRV 48.28).
The color has a cool-to-neutral undertone, though it shows a trace of warmth, preventing it from becoming icy.
PMS 401 C displays low saturation, appearing muted and unobtrusive rather than vivid.
This color tends to maintain its character across a range of sheens, but can appear markedly lighter or darker depending on gloss level and ambient lighting conditions.
The color’s subtlety makes it less sensitive to metamerism compared to high-chroma or bold hues.
PMS 401 C is most appropriate where a neutral, professional look is required and where brand consistency matters. It functions well for fabricated displays, retail fixtures, and prototypes requiring a background color that supports other visual elements. Users should assess finish choice thoughtfully, as higher gloss will increase perceived brightness, while matte may deepen the gray’s visual weight. PMS 401 C is less likely than more vibrant PMS colors to show significant shift due to lighting, but evaluating samples in final lighting is still recommended for critical applications. The color’s muted character provides stability and reduces risk of visual clashing with adjacent branded colors.
Similar colors:
Product Data
About Pantone and MyPerfectColor
MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 401 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 401 C color and produce outstanding results.
MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 401 C color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 401 C color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 401 C Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.
The Pantone PMS 401 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 401 C
How do I confirm that PMS 401 C is the correct Pantone reference for my project?
The code PMS 401 C specifies a particular version of this Pantone color, including its series and suffix. It is important to refer to your brand standards or project documentation to ensure PMS 401 C is the exact reference required. Other Pantone numbers or suffixes might represent different colors or finishes. Confirming the correct code before ordering helps ensure brand consistency and accurate results in your application.
How can I get help selecting the best paint type for matching PMS 401 C?
If you need assistance selecting the right product format for PMS 401 C, contact MyPerfectColor with details about your substrate, exposure conditions, and the desired finish. Providing this information allows us to recommend the most appropriate paint type to achieve accurate, durable, and brand-consistent results for your project.
Why might PMS 401 C appear different when applied to various materials?
PMS 401 C may look slightly different across various substrates due to differences in absorption, surface texture, and reflectivity. These material properties can alter the perceived color, brightness, or gloss. For best results, evaluate PMS 401 C on the actual material used in your final build under intended lighting conditions before making approval decisions.
What should I consider regarding shipping times when ordering PMS 401 C paint?
Shipping times for PMS 401 C paint depend on your location and the shipping method you select at checkout. Actual transit time can also vary due to carrier schedules and holidays. To meet project deadlines, be sure to plan ahead and account for both production and shipping when placing your order.
How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 401 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 401 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 401 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 401 C?
Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 401 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 401 C spray paint made of?
To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 401 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 401 C?
The Pantone PMS 401 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 401 C?
The need for primer for Pantone PMS 401 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 401 C to a different color from another paint company?
While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 401 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.
Color details
LRV: 36.46%
Color properties
Color Type:
Standard
Hide:
Standard
Match Source:
Brochure/swatch book
Match Type:
Physical match
Textured:
No
Source on hand:
Yes
Color Category:
Standard
