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Pantone™ PMS 178 U

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PMS 178 U is a Pantone Matching System color recognized for its vivid red-orange appearance and strong visual energy. It presents a bold, saturated, warm character that supports high-visibility brand expression.

The color reads as mid-dark with an LRV of 31.6 and maintains a clearly warm tendency driven by red with orange influence. Its high saturation gives it strong presence, while a consistent red-orange undertone remains evident across lighting conditions.

PMS 178 U is well suited to brand-facing displays, signage, and exhibit components where immediate recognition is important. Because of its saturation, it may require additional coats for uniform coverage, and sheen and lighting can noticeably change how bright it appears. Evaluating a sample on the intended substrate and under final lighting can help avoid ordering or appearance issues.

Similar colors:
PMS 179 U: darker and slightly deeper, with more red dominance and less orange influence.
PMS 1795 U: slightly darker and more intense, with increased visual weight.
PMS 172 U: lighter and brighter, with a more open orange-red appearance.

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About Pantone and MyPerfectColor

MyPerfectColor is the official licensee of Pantone and authorized to reproduce the Pantone™ PMS 178 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 178 U color and produce outstanding results.

MyPerfectColor matches the Pantone PMS 178 U color based on Pantone color publications. The PMS 178 U color shown on this website are computer video simulations of the PANTONE PMS 178 U Color and may not match PANTONE®-identified Color standards. Refer to current PANTONE Publications to obtain accurate color.

The Pantone PMS 178 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 178 U

When ordering paint, should I specify the name or the code for Pantone PMS 178 U?

Always order by the full Pantone code, PMS 178 U, rather than a shortened name or description. The number and the U suffix identify the exact Pantone target. Using only a name or omitting the suffix can lead to a different color reference being matched.

Pantone PMS codes are color communication standards, not paint formulas. Providing the exact code helps ensure the paint is matched to the correct Pantone reference for brand and display applications.

What basic surface preparation is recommended before applying Pantone PMS 178 U paint?

For Pantone PMS 178 U, start with a clean, dry surface free of dust, oils, and residue. Degrease if needed, then lightly scuff smooth surfaces so the paint can adhere more evenly.

It is a good practice to apply a small test area first. This helps confirm adhesion and appearance on your specific substrate before completing the full application.

How should I compare and approve Pantone PMS 178 U after it is applied?

Compare Pantone PMS 178 U under consistent lighting and on the same type of substrate whenever possible. Differences in lighting and material can change how the color appears.

Allow the paint to fully dry and cure before making a final judgment. Evaluating the color too early can result in approval decisions that do not reflect the finished appearance.

Do vivid colors like Pantone PMS 178 U require special planning for coverage or undercoats?

Pantone PMS 178 U is a vivid, saturated color, which can have lower hide than more neutral tones. Plan for multiple coats to achieve uniform coverage.

Using an appropriate undercoat can help improve consistency and reduce the number of finish coats needed. Testing your undercoat and topcoat combination on the actual substrate is recommended before full production.

How quickly will I receive my paint matched to Pantone PMS 178 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 178 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 178 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 178 U?
Many types of paint are available for Pantone PMS 178 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 178 U spray paint made of?

To make spray paint matched to Pantone PMS 178 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 178 U?
The Pantone PMS 178 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 178 U?
The need for primer for Pantone PMS 178 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 178 U to a different color from another paint company?

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 178 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.