For brand-color-critical jobs

Pantone-accurate vectors that actually match the brand book.

We rebuild raster artwork as vector files with brand-locked Pantone matching — every swatch named with its PMS code, ICC profiles applied where it matters, samples checked against the customer's brand standards. Matching is the work, not an afterthought.

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Pantone color matching is the process of locking each color in a vector file to a specific Pantone Matching System (PMS) code so the production output reproduces the customer's brand colors exactly. VectorWiz delivers files with named Pantone swatches, the right ICC profile attached, and conversion notes for screen print, vinyl, signage, embroidery, and digital print workflows.

Why production shops standardize on VectorWiz

Every swatch named, not just toned

Each color in the file is named with its PMS code (e.g. `Pantone 186 C`, `Pantone Cool Gray 11 C`). Drop into your RIP and the press picks the right ink without re-mapping.

Brand-locked palettes

If your customer has a brand standards document, we work from it. Every job uses the same locked palette — primary brand colors, accent colors, no drift between vendor outputs.

Coated, uncoated, neon — handled per output

Pantone codes change per substrate (186 C ≠ 186 U ≠ 186 N). We pick the right code for your output (coated for offset/digital, uncoated for offset on uncoated stock, neon for high-energy inks).

ICC profile when needed

For digital print and large-format output, we attach the right ICC profile (FOGRA39, GRACoL 2013 CMYK, or your printer's custom profile) so the on-screen render matches the press.

Spec sheet on every job

Every deliverable includes a color spec sheet listing every Pantone code in the file, with notes on substrate and recommended ink set. Easy customer sign-off.

Industry-specific output

Spot-color seps for screen print, layered color groups for vinyl, thread-color references for embroidery, ink-mix notes for signage. The brand color shows up right per output type.

How a job moves through VectorWiz

Upload art + brand spec
Upload customer artwork. Tell us the production output (screen print, vinyl, embroidery, signage, digital print) and the brand color spec — Pantone codes, brand book, RGB/CMYK reference, or 'match the customer sample we'll mail in'.
Instant complexity-based price
Our classifier grades complexity and shows the instant price. Color matching alone (when the artwork is already vector) typically lands at Simple. Color matching combined with vector rebuild moves to Medium or High depending on the source.
Manual color match
Designer rebuilds vector or remaps colors by hand. Each swatch named with its PMS code and a substrate-appropriate variant. Visual proof against the brand standard before delivery.
Match-locked delivery
AI, EPS, SVG, PDF in one zip plus a color spec sheet. Pantone swatches named, ICC profile attached where applicable, ink-mix notes for press setup.

What every color-matched deliverable contains

Pantone matching is delivered as locked swatches inside the vector file plus a written spec sheet that tells the press operator exactly which inks to load.

Standard color-match deliverable

Asset	Format	Notes
Vector file	AI + EPS + SVG + PDF	Every swatch named with its Pantone code (e.g. `Pantone 186 C`, `Pantone Reflex Blue C`).
Color spec sheet	PDF or TXT	Every Pantone code in the file plus substrate variant, ink notes, and CMYK/RGB equivalents.
ICC profile	When applicable	Attached or specified — FOGRA39, GRACoL 2013 CMYK, or customer's printer profile.
Visual proof	PDF flat	Composite proof for customer sign-off before press.

Coated, uncoated, and neon — picking the right Pantone variant

Pantone codes are substrate-specific. The same logical color reads differently on coated vs uncoated stock, and neon variants exist for high-energy print.

Variant by output

Variant	Use it for
Coated (C)	Offset on coated stock, screen print on glossy garments, digital print on coated paper, vinyl on glossy substrates.
Uncoated (U)	Offset on uncoated stock, screen print on heather/uncoated garments, packaging on kraft.
Neon (N) / Pastel & Neon Guide	High-energy inks, fluorescent screen printing, neon vinyl.
Metallic	Specialty metallic inks (gold/silver) — these don't simulate from CMYK.
Process (Pantone Plus Process)	CMYK press conversion — closest 4-color simulation of a Pantone code.

Color matching by production output

Screen print: Spot-color separations with named Pantone codes per ink layer. Pantone-to-ink-mix conversion at the press, with optional press-side proof checks.
Vinyl / large-format: Layered file with one vinyl color per layer. Pantone code per swatch maps to the vinyl manufacturer's color number (Avery, ORACAL, 3M, KPMF).
Embroidery: Pantone-to-thread mapping per layer. Madeira Polyneon, Robison-Anton Rayon, or Isacord — we map per the digitizer's preferred thread system.
Signage / dimensional: Color-coded layered file plus paint-mix notes (Matthews, Akzo Nobel, Sherwin-Williams) for substrate-specific match.
Digital print: ICC-profiled file with Pantone Bridge or Pantone+ codes, calibrated against the printer's color management workflow.

What our color set covers

Pantone Solid Coated (formula guide)
Pantone Solid Uncoated
Pantone Pastels & Neons (coated and uncoated)
Pantone Metallics (coated)
Pantone Plus Bridge (CMYK conversions)
Pantone Plus CMYK Coated / Uncoated
Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors (TPX/TCX) for soft-good and product packaging

Frequently asked questions

Direct answers to what production buyers ask before placing their first order. Question missing? Ask us.

Do you work from a brand standards document?

Yes — if your customer has a brand book or color guide, we work from it. Every job uses the same locked palette so brand colors don't drift between print runs or vendors. Send us the brand standards PDF when you submit.

What if the customer only gives us RGB or CMYK values, not Pantone codes?

We convert from RGB/CMYK to the closest Pantone code using Pantone Color Bridge guides. The conversion is approximate — RGB and CMYK don't perfectly map to the Pantone formula guides — so we'll flag any colors where the closest match is meaningfully different.

Can you match a printed sample without a Pantone code?

Yes. Mail the sample to our office (we'll send the address once you place the order). We color-pick the sample under D50 standardized lighting and lock the file to the closest Pantone codes. This is typically a Medium tier add-on.

What's the difference between Pantone 186 C, 186 U, and 186 N?

Same logical red, different substrate-tuned ink formulations. 186 C is the coated-stock variant (slightly more saturated); 186 U is for uncoated stock (slightly muted); 186 N is the neon variant (high-energy ink). Use the variant that matches your output substrate.

Do you ship ICC profiles with the file?

For digital print and large-format output, yes. We attach FOGRA39, GRACoL 2013 CMYK, or the customer's printer profile to the PDF/X-4 deliverable. For screen-print spot seps, ICC profiles aren't relevant — Pantone codes go straight to ink.

Can you match metallic and fluorescent colors?

Metallic and fluorescent colors don't simulate from CMYK — they require dedicated inks (Pantone Metallics, Pantone Neon). We name the file with the metallic or neon Pantone code and flag it on the spec sheet so press setup includes the right ink.

How long does color matching take?

Color matching alone (artwork is already vector) typically comes back within 4 business hours. Color matching combined with vector rebuild runs 8 hours for Medium complexity, longer for High and Complex.

Can you do PMS-to-thread color mapping for embroidery?

Yes. We map each Pantone code to a thread system — Madeira Polyneon, Robison-Anton Rayon, Isacord, or whichever your digitizer prefers. The deliverable includes a thread chart with one entry per Pantone-to-thread match.

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Upload your file. Get an instant estimate. Order in minutes.

Drop an image, see the complexity-based price automatically, and check out — subscribers debit credits, everyone else pays per job.

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Need something custom? Email hello@vectorwiz.com

Specialised for the way your shop runs

Production buyers don't need a generic vector — they need files that drop straight into the next step in the workflow.

Embroidery digitizers

Stitch-friendly vectors prepped for digitizing. Clean joins, no spurious nodes.

Screen printers

Spot-color separations, halftones, Pantone-accurate vector art for screens.

Laser / CNC / DXF

Closed-path DXF and AI files for laser, plasma, water-jet, and CNC cutters.

Vinyl cutters

Single-stroke and cut-ready vectors for vinyl plotters and decal production.

Engravers

Single-line and outline-only vectors for rotary, fiber, and CO₂ engravers.

Signage fabricators

CNC-ready files for channel letters, dimensional letters, monument signs, ADA interior signage.