Pantone™ PMS 551 U

PMS 551 U is defined by the Pantone Matching System as a visual reference standard, typically shown on coated or uncoated paper in a Pantone book. When that color is reproduced as paint, the appearance will change based on sheen, film thickness, and the substrate it is applied to. A direct side by side match to a paper chip is not expected.

For accurate expectations, apply a sample of PMS 551 U paint to the actual material you will use and view it under your real lighting conditions. The Pantone book should be used as the target reference, not as a guarantee of identical appearance on every surface.

Sheen has a strong effect on how PMS 551 U is perceived. Higher gloss sheens reflect more light and can make the color appear brighter or slightly lighter, while matte or low sheen finishes can make it appear softer or darker.

Choose the sheen based on viewing distance, substrate texture, and how closely the color will be inspected. If precise brand approval is required, testing PMS 551 U in the intended sheen is the safest way to confirm acceptance before ordering production quantities.

PMS 551 U can shift in appearance depending on the light source. Daylight, LED, fluorescent, and incandescent lighting each interact differently with pigments, which can change how blue or gray tones are perceived.

This is normal behavior and not a defect. Always evaluate PMS 551 U paint under the same lighting where it will be displayed or installed. Viewing under multiple light sources can also help identify whether the color remains acceptable across conditions.

PMS 551 U is available as custom spray paint and other paint formats for branding and display applications. Common options include spray paint, paint pens, and brush-in-cap bottles, with additional coatings offered where appropriate.

Select the format based on how the color will be applied, the size of the area, and the level of control required. If you are unsure, starting with a small sample in the intended format can help confirm coverage, appearance, and workflow before committing to a larger order.

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 551 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 551 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.