Pantone™ PMS 255 U

In Pantone PMS 255 U, the "U" indicates the Uncoated Pantone reference. Pantone colors can have different suffixes, such as U or C, that refer to how the color appears on different paper stocks.

When ordering paint matched to PMS 255 U, it is important to confirm that your brand standards or source documentation specifically call for the Uncoated reference. Using a different Pantone series or suffix can result in a noticeable visual difference, even though the base number is the same.

Pantone PMS 255 U is a color reference, not a paint type. When ordering, you should choose interior or exterior paint based on where the painted item will be used.

For indoor displays, exhibits, or brand elements, an interior paint is typically appropriate. For outdoor signage or components exposed to weather, an exterior-rated paint should be selected. The color match target remains PMS 255 U, but durability and performance depend on choosing the correct paint type for the environment.

Pantone books are printed color references, and paint matched to PMS 255 U is a visual match target, not an identical reproduction.

Differences in sheen, substrate, and lighting can cause the painted color to appear different from the Pantone book chip. For critical brand applications, it is recommended to evaluate a sample of the PMS 255 U paint on the actual material and under the intended lighting before final production.

When applying a PMS 255 U color match to metal or previously powder-coated parts, surface preparation is important for consistent appearance.

Existing coatings, surface texture, and gloss level can influence how the color is perceived. Cleaning and lightly scuffing the surface can help promote even coverage. Because PMS 255 U is a visual match, reviewing a sample on the prepared metal surface is the best way to confirm acceptability before committing to a full run.

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 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.

While MyPerfectColor can provide PMS 255 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.