How to Input Pantone Colors in Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating stunning designs and illustrations. One of the key features of Illustrator is its ability to utilize Pantone colors, which are popular among designers for their accuracy and consistency. In this article, we will discuss how to input Pantone colors in Adobe Illustrator, so you can ensure that your designs are using the exact colors as per the Pantone color matching system.
Step 1: Open Adobe Illustrator and Create a New Document
Start by opening Adobe Illustrator and creating a new document or opening an existing one where you want to input Pantone colors. Go to “File” > “New” to create a new document, or “File” > “Open” to open an existing one.
Step 2: Choose the Pantone Color
To input a Pantone color, you first need to know the specific Pantone color code you want to use. Pantone colors are identified by unique codes, such as “PMS 185 C” for a shade of red. You can find the Pantone color code from a Pantone color swatch book or through online resources.
Step 3: Access the Swatches Panel
In Illustrator, go to “Window” > “Swatches” to open the Swatches panel if it’s not already open. This panel contains a collection of colors that can be used in your document.
Step 4: Add Pantone Color to Swatches
In the Swatches panel, click on the small options menu icon at the top right corner and select “New Swatch” from the dropdown menu. In the New Swatch dialog box, choose “Color Type” as “Spot Color” and enter the Pantone color code in the “Color Mode” field. Then, click “OK” to add the Pantone color to the Swatches panel.
Step 5: Apply Pantone Color to Objects
Now that you have added the Pantone color to the Swatches panel, you can easily apply it to objects in your design. Simply select the object or part of your design that you want to color with the Pantone color, and click on the Pantone color swatch in the Swatches panel to apply it.
Step 6: Check Color Separations
If you are preparing your design for print, it’s important to check the color separations to ensure that the Pantone colors are properly separated for printing. To do this, go to “Window” > “Separations Preview” to open the Separations panel and check how the Pantone colors are separated in the document.
By following these steps, you can easily input Pantone colors in Adobe Illustrator and ensure that your designs are using the exact Pantone colors you desire. Whether you are designing for print or digital media, utilizing Pantone colors in Illustrator can help you achieve accurate and consistent color representation in your designs.
