What is a colour code in design and print?
Anita Amarissa 
Creating less confusion in design & print! Gain the info to digital print vs litho print, hex numbers, pantone colours & even what Ral numbers mean.
Ahhh, welcome to the world of branding, colour, design and print!
You know when you thought that design was so straightforward and then wondered why graphic designers and printers charge a fortune for what they do? I mean I'm not talking about those sites which deliver logo's for next to nothing. I'm talking about the real world, where your work is taken seriously and questions are asked so you can really think about your brand, your story, the journey, what your chosen colours are and how and where you're going to use your logo.
Such questions may baffle you, but what may baffle you even more are the questions you may face regarding the colours in your logo or design, for example...
1. What's the Hex number?
2. What's the RGB number?
3. Could I have the RAL number?
4. If you're doing a massive print run, the Pantone number doesn't exist for your HEX/CMYK number, so we'll have to mix up the inks to get it, is that okay? But it's gonna cost 'XY and Z'.
5. Are you doing a small or large print run?
These are just some of the questions you may face, but let's look a little closer at what they all mean!
Pantone colours
Pantone colors refer to a standardised colour matching system used in various industries, including printing, fashion, and graphic design. Each colour is assigned a unique number and can be reproduced consistently across different materials and printing processes. Pantone colours
are widely recognised and used globally, making them a valuable tool for visual communication and branding.
You will also find that not all Pantone colours are available, for example, you may want to use Cadbury's or the Quality street purple wrapper, but this will have been patented, so no-one will be able to use it unless they wish to be sued or pay a hefty price to have the colour loaned to them. In a sense, it's like when a musician wants to use a sample from another musician and has to pay either an ongoing fee or a 'one off'.
Hex numbers
Hex numbers are used in design to specify colours. They are a six-digit code that represents a combination of three primary colors: red, green, and blue. Each pair of digits represents the intensity of each colour, ranging from 00 (no intensity) to FF (maximum intensity). Using hex numbers allows for precise colour selection and consistency across digital platforms. I always state to list your hex numbers when designing because you will need them as a reference tool and to convert them into Pantone and Ral colours where applicable.
RGB and CMYK Colours
These are two different colour models used in digital and print media respectively. RGB uses red, green, and blue light to create colours on your screens and devices while CMYK uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink to produce colours on paper. RGB is best for digital design and web-based content, while CMYK is better suited for printing purposes. Just for your reference, 'K' stands for 'Key'.
What are RAL colours?
RAL colours are a standardised colour matching system used in Europe. RAL stands for 'Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen' und 'Gütesicherung', which translates to "Imperial Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality Assurance." The RAL colour system is used for varnish, powder coating, and plastics. It includes over 2,300 colours and each colour is represented by a four-digit number. If you are an Interior designer for example, you may find yourself using Ral numbers if your client is requesting branded plastics or varnish for their items/installations and so forth.
I often get asked what's the difference between digital and lithographic printing.
Digital printing came about in 1995 and involves transferring digital images to paper or other materials using a printer, while lithographic printing involves creating an image on a metal plate, which is then used to transfer the image onto paper or other materials. Lithographic printing which also includes Flexography (technique used for printing on plastic bags), is typically used for large print runs, while digital printing is more suitable for small print runs or personalised printing.
Whilst I try not to bombard you with so much info, I found a fantastic website which converts Hex numbers to Pantone and RAL, it's marvellous, check it out HERE!
More free resources!
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Get Creative!
Sunita, x
Sunita Johal has worked in the video commercial/design/fashion/makeup/therapy/music/teaching and web world for a very, very long time!
She's known as a the Canva & Colour Alchemist, a Sorceress, is a Canvassador for Canva and co-owns Crimson Catz with her twin sis/business partner Anita Amarissa!
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Categories: cmyk, creative design, design, fashion design, graphic design, hex numberes, interior design, pantone, print, printing, ral numbers, textile design