Pantone Metallic Colors for Premium Packaging & Print
Pantone Metallic Colors offer designers a powerful way to add brilliance, depth, and luxury to printed packaging. This specialized color system includes 655 high-luster metallic shades, from classic gold and silver tones to trend-driven colors and the newest Rose Gold base ink. Each shade produces reflective, eye-catching finishes on coated paper stock, making it ideal for branding, retail packaging, and premium print materials.
Whether you’re creating high-end cosmetic boxes, luxury product labels, or custom food packaging, Pantone Metallics ensure your final design looks polished, consistent, and visually striking.
Why Pantone Metallic Colors Matter in Packaging
Pantone Metallic Colors deliver a mix of visual impact, brand consistency, and printing reliability—three pillars essential for modern packaging.
1. Authentic Metallic Sheen
Every metallic shade is formulated to deliver a genuine reflective finish that elevates the perceived value of a product. From subtle shimmers to bold metallic accents, these inks make packaging stand out on shelves.
2. Accurate Global Color Matching
Each Pantone metallic shade — such as PMS 871 C or PMS 877 C — ensures consistent reproduction across printers, manufacturers, and materials. This eliminates guesswork and ensures brand colors stay uniform worldwide.
3. Ideal for Luxury Branding
Metallic inks reinforce premium branding across industries, including:
- Cosmetics & skincare
- Electronics & accessories
- Confectionery & food packaging
- Jewelry & fashion retail
- Beverage & specialty products
Best Uses for Pantone Metallic Colors
Pantone Metallic Colors are widely used for:
- Folding carton boxes
- Corrugated packaging
- Paper bags
- Printed food packaging
- Bakery and coffee-shop paper products
- Double-wall and single-wall coffee cups
- Printed straws
- Food buckets and bowls
These materials absorb metallic inks well and maintain shine, making them popular choices for upscale packaging.
How Pantone Metallic Colors Work in Print
Each metallic color is created using a standardized ink formulation that maintains:
- Consistent density
- Smooth reflective quality
- Resistance to tarnishing or dulling
They can also be enhanced with coatings like:
- Gloss coatings
- UV coatings
- Soft-touch laminations
- Spot varnishes
These finishing options amplify the shine and durability of metallic prints.
Premium Packaging Results from Urgent Custom Boxes
At Urgent Custom Boxes, we specialize in bringing Pantone Metallic Colors to life through precise printing, premium materials, and industry-leading finishing techniques. Whether you want subtle shimmer or bold metallic shine, our printing experts ensure consistent, vibrant, and flawless results across all packaging formats.
Contact us today to explore metallic printing options for your next packaging project.
Storing and Handling SBS C2S Paperboard Properly
To achieve optimal print results with metallic colors, proper paperboard storage matters.
Correct SBS C2S Handling Guidelines
- Keep paperboard at 68°F (20°C) and 50% humidity
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure
- Allow 48–60 hours of acclimation after cold transport
- Retain original wrapping to prevent moisture imbalance
- Store flat to avoid warping
These steps ensure the paper remains stable, helping maintain sharp color reproduction and preventing print defects.
Frequently Asked Question
What are Pantone Metallic Colors?
Pantone Metallic Colors are a set of metallic ink shades designed to create reflective, premium finishes in printed packaging. They include 655 metallic colors used for branding, luxury packaging, and specialty print applications.
Why are metallic Pantone colors used in packaging?
They provide high-luster shine, stronger shelf appeal, and consistent brand color reproduction, making packaging appear more premium and eye-catching.
Can Pantone metallic inks be used on food packaging?
Yes. When paired with food-safe coatings and printed on approved materials like SBS C2S, metallic inks are safe for most food packaging applications.
What materials work best with metallic prints?
How do I prevent metallic inks from dulling or tarnishing?
Use high-quality Pantone metallic inks, maintain correct ink density, store paper properly, and apply protective coatings such as gloss or UV varnish.
What is SBS C2S and why does storage matter?
SBS C2S (Solid Bleached Sulfate, Coated 2 Sides) is a premium paperboard used for folding cartons and packaging. Proper humidity and temperature control prevent warping and preserve print quality.
