Pantone TCX vs TPX vs TPG: Which Library to Use When
Pantone publishes multiple color libraries, and picking the wrong one is the most common preventable error in textile color specification. The three relevant to textile work are TCX (Textile Cotton eXtended), TPX (Textile Paper eXtended, now discontinued), and TPG (TCX-Paper Guide). They share similar color names but produce different physical results — TCX is dyed onto cotton, TPG is printed onto paper. This tutorial explains when to specify which, why TCX has become the textile standard, and what to do with legacy TPX references in older brand documents.
Step-by-Step Guide
Understand what each library physically is
TCX is cotton-fabric swatches, dyed to spec. TPX was paper-printed, discontinued in 2019. TPG is the paper-based proofing equivalent of TCX, used for visual reference where physical dyed cotton isn't practical. The same color name (e.g., Living Coral) appears in TCX, TPX, and TPG editions — but the physical object behaves differently in lighting, photographs differently, and may not match the dyed cotton exactly.
- TCX = cotton, TPX = retired paper, TPG = current paper
- Dyed cotton (TCX) is the production reference
- Paper guides (TPG) are visual references only
Default to TCX for textile production specs
If the print partner is a textile mill — woven, knit, or printed fabric — specify in TCX. The dye recipes, the spectrophotometer calibration targets, and the buyer's QC measurement protocols all reference TCX. Specifying in TPG to a textile mill forces them to mentally map the paper reference to a textile recipe, introducing variation.
- TCX 19-3933 is unambiguous
- Avoid 'similar to TPG 19-3933' — it isn't the same
- Textile QC measures TCX targets
Use TPG only for desk-side review and color storyboards
TPG paper guides are useful for designers building color stories at the desk — they're cheaper than TCX cotton swatches, lighter to carry, and reflect light similarly enough for early-stage palette work. But never hand a TPG number to a print partner expecting an exact match. The conversion from paper to dyed cotton can shift Delta-E by 3-5, well above commercial tolerance.
- TPG = palette-building only
- Carry a TPG fan deck, dyed cotton for spec
- TPG won't match a printed swatch exactly
Translate legacy TPX references to TCX or TPG
Old brand books from 2015-2019 often reference TPX codes. Pantone published a TPX-to-TPG migration table in 2019 — the codes are usually identical (TPX 19-3933 → TPG 19-3933) but the swatch substrate changed from older paper stock to current paper stock. For textile production, also cross-reference to the TCX equivalent. Many TPX numbers map directly to a TCX number with the same digits.
- TPX 19-3933 → TPG 19-3933 (same number, current paper)
- TPX 19-3933 → TCX 19-3933 if cotton equivalent exists
- Update brand books before sharing with new partners
Cross-check the TCX library size for your project
TCX has expanded over time — 1,925 codes in 2010, 2,310 in 2017, 2,625+ as of 2026. If your design references an older TCX code, verify it's still in the current library. Discontinued codes can't be reproduced from a fresh dye lot at a new mill. The Pantone Connect app and Pantone Color Manager keep an authoritative live list.
- Verify in Pantone Connect before specifying
- Discontinued codes won't reproduce
- 2,625+ codes available in 2026 edition
Document the substrate explicitly in handoff
When sending a color spec to a partner, write it as 'TCX 19-3933 on 100% cotton poplin, single-jersey weight'. The substrate matters because the same dye renders differently on cotton vs polyester vs viscose. A TCX spec without substrate context invites the partner to apply their default fabric, which may not match your design intent.
- Always specify fiber + weight + finish
- Different substrates shift the same dye visibly
- Lock the substrate in the contract, not just the color
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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