Earlier than Pantone, Inc. developed its Color Matching System in 1963, there was no color standard in graphic design industry. Over past four decades, Pantone has extended from a small industry to a global leader in standardized colors for printing on paper, plastic and textiles.

Lawrence Herbert

1. First pantone created color cards for cosmetic industry. Lawrence Herbert, a worker since 1956, bought company in 1962 and started functioning on a color matching system.

Purpose

2. The Pantone Color Matching System created a standard technique for users to match colors accurately during graphic design procedure.

Development

3. Herbert made a palette of ten fundamental color inks or stains from which any color could be mixed.

Marketing

4. In 1963 Herbert inclined his idea to country's biggest ink companies. In less than two weeks he had sold licensing opportunities to twenty companies.

Problem Solved

5. Pantone solved a fundamental problem for many businesses. E.g. Kodak utilized different companies to print film boxes, resultant in various shades of yellow. Customers chosen to purchase brighter boxes, thinking darker yellow boxes did not have "fresh" film. Pantone's new standard meant each box of Kodak film looked accurately the same, no matter where it was printed.

Pantone Today

6. Now Pantone is global standard for print colors, with over 1700 various
shades. As of 2009, Herbert was still company's CEO.