Colour systems explained

Pantone, Hex Codes, and RGB: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters for Screen Printing

The Bottom Line

  • Pantone = perfect for print; reliable, standardized ink colours
  • Hex = perfect for screens; unreliable for print
  • RGB = digital-only colour; must be converted for printing

If you want the colour on your shirt to look as close to the one on your monitor, Pantone matching is the most accurate way to get there BUT keep in mind that printed colour will not look the same as onscreen colour which is backlit.


A more detailed exploration

When you’re creating artwork for print, especially screen printing, you’ll run into different colour systems: Pantone, hex codes, and RGB. They all describe colour, but they don’t describe it in the same way. Understanding the difference helps ensure your printed designs look exactly the way you expect.

In this post, we’ll break down what each system means, why they behave differently, and how they affect the screen printing process.


Pantone (PMS): The Print-First Colour System

Pantone is a standardized colour matching system used across the printing industry. It helps us make sure that we when we say “red” for example, we are thinking about the same shade of red. Each Pantone colour is a physical ink formula, not a digital mix of light. These colours are mixed by hand ointment our studio from a physical colour swatch. 

Why Pantone is essential in screen printing

  • Each Pantone indicates a specific shade of a given colour (for example, blue shade red vs orange shade red)
  • Pantone colours stay consistent across different presses, vendors, and materials.
  • Perfect for brand colours that must match exactly (logos, uniforms, promotional products) because we mix them by hand
  • Just a note that while we use Pantone to talk about colour, we don’t use Pantone inks so there may be some variation

Pantone vs. digital colors

Pantone isn’t inherently tied to screens, so when you try to convert Pantone colours to digital formats (like hex or RGB), the match is approximate, not perfect. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are only looking at Pantone colours onscreen because all screens will display them differently. 


This is where hex and RGB come in.


Hex Codes: Colours for the Web

A hex code (example: #1A73E8) is a 6-digit value used to represent a colour in digital displays. Hex is simply a shorthand way of expressing RGB values.

Hex is:

  • A screen-only colour system
  • Based on light, not pigment
  • Not predictable in print without conversion
  • Often there is not a Pantone equivalent to a hex code (or an RGB code)

Why hex isn’t reliable for screen printing

The ink on a shirt doesn’t mix or behave like pixels on a backlit screen. So a hex code is only a starting point, not a final print colour.

When you give a screen printer a hex value, they must convert it into Pantone (for spot-colour jobs) and because digital colours appear differently on each monitor, the print result may differ unless a Pantone match is chosen.


RGB: Color Made From Light

RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue. It’s how monitors, phones, and TVs display colour using backlit pixels. RGB allows for a much wider colour range (gamut) than print can reproduce.

RGB is:

  • Used for digital art and photography
  • Ideal for web and screen design
  • Not suitable as a print-ready colour format

Why RGB doesn’t translate directly to screen printing

Many bright or neon RGB colours do not exist in ink. Printers have to convert RGB colours to Pantone, which almost always alters the appearance.


What This Means for Screen Printing

1. Pantone = the most accurate results

If you want exact colour matching, especially for logos, branding, and solid spot colours, use Pantone numbers.

2. Hex/RGB colours must be converted

When sending artwork to a screen printer, providing only hex or RGB colours means:

  • The printer must interpret or convert them
  • The final print may not match what you see on your screen
  • Colours can shift significantly

3. Choose Pantone spot colours for bold, solid prints

For screen printing using plastisol or water-based inks:

  • Pantone spot colours look cleaner and more vibrant
  • Edges are crisper
  • You avoid muddy mixes

4. Digital-only colours may not be printable

Some neon or ultra-bright RGB colours simply can’t be created with physical pigment. A print-safe substitution will be required.


Which Should You Use When Designing for Screen Printing?

Best practice:

  • Start with Pantone colours whenever brand consistency matters.
  • If you designed your artwork digitally and only have hex/RGB values, ask your screen printer to:
    • Convert the colours to Pantone
    • Show you physical swatches or a proof
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