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Pantone™ PMS 120 U

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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 120 U is a Pantone PMS color commonly specified in brand and marketing contexts where a bright, open yellow is needed. It conveys a cheerful, energetic, and attention-forward vibe while remaining relatively light and approachable.

The color appears light in value, with an LRV of 71.95. It reads as warm, shows high saturation for a light yellow, and carries a clean yellow undertone with minimal green or orange influence.

PMS 120 U works well in brand-facing displays, signage, and promotional elements where visibility and brightness are priorities. As a light but saturated yellow, it may benefit from a white or light-tinted primer to support even coverage, especially over darker or uneven substrates.

Finish and lighting can noticeably affect how bright and open the color appears, so testing on the intended surface is recommended.

Similar colors:
PMS 121 U: slightly darker and warmer, with increased yellow density.
PMS 119 U: deeper and more saturated, with stronger visual weight.
PMS 1205 U: lighter and softer, with reduced chroma and a more pastel appearance.

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About Pantone and MyPerfectColor

MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 120 U 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 120 U color and produce outstanding results.

MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 120 U color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 120 U color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 120 U Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

The Pantone PMS 120 U 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.

Pantone

Frequently Asked Questions About Pantone™ PMS 120 U

How accurate is a Pantone PMS 120 U paint match, and what should I expect?

Pantone PMS 120 U is a standardized color reference, not a paint formula. MyPerfectColor reproduces PMS 120 U as an accurate visual match for brand and display applications, but exact appearance can vary by material, finish, and lighting.

Bright and saturated Pantone colors like PMS 120 U can be more challenging to reproduce across different substrates. Expect close visual alignment rather than an identical match across all conditions. For critical brand approvals, testing the paint on your actual substrate and reviewing it under intended lighting is recommended.

Can I use PMS 120 U paint for a precise touch-up on an existing surface?

Pantone PMS 120 U is intended as a brand color reference, not a touch-up standard. If you need touch-up-grade results on an existing painted surface, ordering paint based only on the PMS 120 U code is usually not the correct path.

For that level of precision, sending a physical part or sample to be matched is recommended. This accounts for aging, finish, and substrate effects that a Pantone reference alone cannot capture.

What does the 'U' in Pantone PMS 120 U mean, and why does it matter when ordering?

The suffix in Pantone codes provides context about the original reference condition. PMS 120 U is different from other versions of PMS 120, and those differences can affect appearance.

When ordering, confirm that PMS 120 U is the exact reference specified in your brand standards or project documentation. Using the wrong suffix can result in a color that looks incorrect even if the base number is the same.

Can PMS 120 U paint be used on plastic parts or low-energy surfaces?

PMS 120 U can be produced in paint formats suitable for many applications, but plastics vary widely in surface energy and paint adhesion.

Some plastics require specific primers or surface preparation to achieve proper adhesion and color appearance. Always test the PMS 120 U paint on the actual plastic material before full production to confirm adhesion, coverage, and final color appearance.

How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 120 U?
All paint is custom-made to order. While most orders ship within 48 hours, the lead-time for paint made to match Pantone PMS 120 U 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 120 U 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 120 U?
Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 120 U 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 120 U spray paint made of?

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 120 U. 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 120 U?
The Pantone PMS 120 U 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 120 U?
The need for primer for Pantone PMS 120 U 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 120 U to a different color from another paint company?

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 120 U 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.