Pantone™ PMS 397 U

PMS 397 U defines a color target, not a finish. When you change sheen, such as matte versus gloss, the color can appear lighter, darker, more saturated, or less saturated even if the color match is the same. Glossy finishes reflect more light and can make PMS 397 U look brighter and cleaner, while matte finishes absorb more light and can look flatter or slightly darker.

This means comparing samples with different sheens can make PMS 397 U appear like different colors. For brand work, always evaluate samples in the same finish that will be used in the final application.

Yes. For projects that require brand approval, ordering a small sample of PMS 397 U first helps confirm appearance before committing to a larger order. Pantone colors can shift in perception based on substrate, finish, and lighting.

Evaluate the sample on the actual material and under the installed lighting conditions. This step reduces approval risk and helps avoid surprises during final installation.

Yes. PMS 397 U is commonly used as a brand color target for signs, displays, and exhibit elements where visual consistency matters. Pantone PMS codes are often specified in brand standards to ensure different vendors aim for the same color reference.

Because fabricated elements use different materials and finishes, sampling PMS 397 U on the real substrates helps confirm that the color reads correctly in the finished environment.

If you need a very close match to an existing physical part, the most reliable approach is to send that part for matching. While PMS 397 U is a useful brand reference, it does not account for aging, substrate differences, or previous coatings.

Providing the actual part allows the match to be based on what is physically present, which is important for localized or high-precision color work where visual continuity is critical.

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 397 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 397 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.