Texloom
Pricing
Sign in
Launch Studio

Stay in the loop

Get textile design tips and product updates delivered to your inbox.

Texloom

AI-powered textile design platform. Create seamless patterns, separate colors, and export production-ready files.

Product

  • All Tools
  • Seamless Repeats
  • Color Separation
  • AI Pattern Generator
  • Pantone Matching
  • Pricing

Industries

  • Fashion Design
  • Home Textiles
  • Screen Printing
  • Digital Printing
  • Apparel Manufacturing

Resources

  • Blog
  • Learn
  • Changelog
  • Roadmap
  • About
  • FAQ

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Design Security
  • Refund Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact

Compare

  • Texloom vs Photoshop
  • Texloom vs Midjourney

© 2026 Texloom Studio. All rights reserved.

Your designs are private — never shared, never used for AI training
SitemapAll systems operational
Learn
Pantone Matching
Tutorial8 min read

How to Match Pantone Colors

Master accurate Pantone TCX color matching for textile production. Learn Delta E, lighting, and professional specification techniques.

Why Pantone Matching Matters

Color is critical in textile production. A 'red' to you might be a completely different 'red' to your manufacturer. Pantone provides a universal color language that eliminates ambiguity.

Using Pantone TCX references ensures your fabric comes out the exact color you intended, every time.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Understand Pantone TCX

Pantone TCX (Textile Cotton eXtended) is the standard color system for fashion and soft goods. Unlike Pantone C (coated paper) or U (uncoated), TCX colors are formulated for fabric dyeing.

Key Points
  • TCX = Textile Cotton eXtended
  • 2,600+ colors in the TCX library
  • Colors appear different on fabric vs paper
2

Learn Delta E Basics

Delta E (ΔE) measures the perceived difference between two colors. Lower values mean closer matches. CIEDE2000 is the most accurate formula for color difference.

Key Points
  • ΔE < 1: Imperceptible difference
  • ΔE 1-2: Close match, acceptable
  • ΔE > 3: Noticeable difference
3

Control Your Lighting

Colors look different under different lights (metamerism). Always evaluate colors under D65 standard daylight illumination for consistent results.

Key Points
  • Use a light booth for evaluation
  • D65 simulates average daylight
  • Check under store lighting too
4

Calibrate Your Monitor

Screen colors are never 100% accurate. Calibrate your monitor and understand that physical Pantone chips are the true reference.

Key Points
  • Use a colorimeter for calibration
  • Pantone chip = ultimate truth
  • Digital is for reference only
5

Use Digital Matching Tools

Texloom's Pantone Finder uses CIEDE2000 to match any color to the closest TCX reference. Upload designs or photos to get instant matches with Delta E values.

Key Points
  • Upload high-quality images
  • Even lighting in photos
  • Check multiple suggested matches
6

Document Your Specifications

Always provide Pantone codes, not just visual references. Include the exact TCX code, Delta E tolerance, and note any acceptable alternatives.

Key Points
  • Format: 'PANTONE 19-4052 TCX'
  • Specify acceptable Delta E
  • Include swatch if possible

Common Mistakes

Matching from uncalibrated screen
Always verify against physical Pantone chips
Ignoring lighting conditions
Evaluate under D65 standard lighting
Not specifying tolerance
State acceptable Delta E (e.g., 'ΔE < 2')
Using Pantone C instead of TCX
Always use TCX for textile production

Related Resources

Pantone Color MatchingColor Separation StudioApparel Manufacturing

Find Your Pantone Match

Use Texloom's Pantone Finder to match any color to TCX with Delta E precision.

Try Pantone Finder