SMART color swatch cards, Pantone reformulated each color for matching under D65 lighting to ensure reproducibility and maximize durability, batch consistency, and color constancy. Though it is impossible for two colors to match exactly, we have made every effort to maintain the integrity of the original color when developing the new SMART color swatch. Prior to finalizing your palette, we strongly recommend that you purchase a new SMART color swatch card and review it in your primary light source (D65, CWF, Horizon, A, TL84, UL3000, etc.).

In most cases, the new SMART colors will be very close to the previous TC swatches in Daylight 65 (D65) lighting. However, it is important to remember that the SMART color system is a new product and not simply a change to how the swatches are presented.

The TC and TCX are the suffix’s that are used to delineate the differences of the PANTONE fashion + home cotton systems. The TC suffix = Textile Cotton and the TCX = Textile Cotton New Version.
The reason for the change in the suffix is because the manufacturing methods and dyestuff ingredients were completely updated when formulating the new TCX version.

Envision a color system that would give designers precise color on a digital and international stage without compromise. Through the partnership with Clariant, a leader in dyestuff production, we have developed the PANTONE SMART Color System that consistently delivers perfect, technically sound hues, faster and easier than ever before. As a client you can benefit from the technical support that Clariant offers every end-user such as color matching for other substrates in addition to manufacturing tech support.