Pantone™ PMS 338 U

PMS 338 U is a defined Pantone color target, but the finish you choose can change how that color is perceived. Gloss finishes tend to look brighter and more saturated, while matte or flat finishes can appear softer or darker. This does not mean the color match is wrong. It means the sheen is influencing light reflection. When evaluating PMS 338 U, compare samples in the same finish and under similar lighting to avoid thinking two correct matches are different colors.

For PMS 338 U spray paint, apply multiple light coats rather than one heavy coat. Light passes help the color build evenly and reduce issues like striping or uneven gloss. Allow each coat to flash and set before applying the next, following the product instructions. Highly saturated Pantone colors like PMS 338 U may need additional coats to achieve uniform coverage and visual consistency.

PMS 338 U is part of the Pantone Matching System, which is used to define brand colors consistently across different vendors and materials. Specifying PMS 338 U helps ensure that displays, signage, prototypes, and marketing elements aim for the same visual color target. It is a communication standard, not a paint formula, so appearance should always be evaluated on the actual material, finish, and lighting where the brand experience will be seen.

When ordering PMS 338 U, choose the paint type based on where and how it will be used. Interior applications like displays, exhibits, or retail environments typically prioritize appearance and controlled lighting. Exterior applications need coatings designed to handle weather, sunlight, and exposure. The Pantone color target remains PMS 338 U, but selecting the correct paint type ensures the color performs appropriately in its environment.

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 338 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 338 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.