Converting CMYK to Pantone TCX is an essential part of different workflows in the textile and printing industry. This conversion is essential for getting the best possible color reproduction. Using a color conversion tool is the best way to do this conversion.
Designers and other professionals who need color conversions have stopped converting colors manually because these tools save them valuable time and effort and give more accurate conversion results. Many color converters support various conversion types, including CMYK to Pantone TCX.
However, it’s essential to know that they don’t all have the same accuracy, features, and effectiveness. That’s why we’ve decided to pick and review the best tools we’ve found for CMYK to Pantone TCX conversion.
In this article
Differences Between CMYK and Pantone Color Codes
CMYK and Pantone colors have different characteristics, even though they can be used in the same industries. Here are some key differences you should know:
Color Model System
Pantone is a unique color model system that uses numbers to specify and identify colors. It’s completely standardized to ensure the colors are reproduced consistently on different printing materials.
On the other hand, CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, and it’s a subtractive model that creates different colors by combining the four colors we’ve mentioned. They can be used to produce different colors with different variations.
Numbering System
The CMYK color model has a numbering system similar to all subtractive models. Every color is described with its values expressed in percentage. Simply put, every color in this model has a percentage of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.
On the other hand, all Pantone colors have specific numbers that represent them. They all have unique numbers, and the colors with the same numbers should be identical.
Color Accuracy and Consistency
Pantone is all about color consistency, as the matching system guarantees the accuracy of each color regardless of how it’s being reproduced or where it’s used. CMYK colors vary based on the printing application and the type of paper used. Achieving consistent colors can be difficult, especially when using different printers and devices.
Color Costs
CMYK model printing is cost-effective for printing full colors because it uses standardized colors and inks without requiring adding spot color inks. On the other hand, Pantone colors can be expensive as they might need additional printing plates and custom ink mixing.
Best CMYK to Pantone TCX Converters
Here are the top CMYK to Pantone TCX converters we’ve picked for you. They’re not ordered in any specific way, and it’s up to you to determine which one works best for your needs.
DNS Checker CMYK to Pantone Converter
Even though the name might suggest otherwise, DNS Checker offers more than DNS tools. It’s an excellent platform for webmasters and developers with various productivity tools, network information, graphic design tools, etc.
The DNS Checker converter can convert CMYK, HSV, HEX, and RGB colors to PMS TCX and all other Pantone colors. They all offer the preview feature, a color palette, and a distance picker. It’s a straightforward and well-designed tool with sliders and visual representations of your work, allowing you to quickly see if you have the right colors.
Main Features
- Preview feature;
- Color palette;
- Visual interface;
- Distance picker;
- CMYK, HSV, HEX, and RGB to Pantone conversion.
Pros & Cons
✔ Easy to use;
✔ Smooth interface;
✔ Works on all web browsers;
✔ Online conversion.
✖ Doesn’t have a browser extension;
✖ Can’t convert back from Pantone colors.
Pricing
- Completely free.
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Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is among the world’s most popular graphic design tools. It can be used for all color-related tasks, including color conversion. It can effectively convert CMYK to Pantone TCX, but it’s primarily designed for working with CMYK and RGB.
Still, you can always finish your work and convert the colors to any desired model. Adobe Photoshop even has integrated a Pantone color library so you can quickly find the right selection for your needs. You can use the Pantone Solid Uncoated or the Pantone Solid Coated color variations, depending on your needs.
You must use these libraries to get the accurate Pantone TCX variants because Photoshop is only adept at accurate CMYK to Pantone. In other words, you need to do some manual adjustments to get the best TCV variant.
Main Features
- Extensive color profile conversion features;
- Supports RGB, CMYK, Grayscale, and Lab conversions;
- Color picker tool;
- Layer adjustment;
- Pantone color libraries;
- Color settings.
Pros & Cons
✔ One of the best graphic design tools;
✔ Can convert any colors;
✔ Accurate Pantone results;
✔ Valuable resources;
✔ Extensive color adjustment features.
✖ Converting to Pantone TCX requires manual work.
Pricing
- Photoshop: $22.99 per month;
- Photography: $19.99 per month;
- Creative Cloud: $59.99 per month.
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CMYK Tool CMYK to Pantone Converter
The CMYK tool is a popular online color conversion tool with designers, developers, and printing professionals. The CMYK tool allows you to perform conversions involving CMYK colors. Apart from conversions, it also offers a big color guide that lets you learn how to convert solid colors into Pantone colors.
When you provide the required CMYK values, you instantly get a HEX color conversion and three different Pantone colors you can use for comparison. When you click on each result, you get redirected to another page to get information about that color and its values in other color systems.
Furthermore, you also get additional Pantone color cards for comparison. Apart from offering multiple color conversion options, you also get a color picker, a latte, and a color wheel to help you select tints, tones, shades, and hues.
Main Features
- Has various color pickers;
- Color wheel;
- Color palette;
- Bulk color matching;
- Image color picker.
Pros & Cons
✔ Can convert to Pantone from CMYK and in reverse;
✔ Offers an extensive color guide;
✔ Online conversion;
✔ Works on all web browsers.
✖ Doesn’t have a browser extension;
✖ Doesn’t have a color distance feature;
✖ Can’t convert colors except CMYK.
Pricing
- Completely free.
Pantone Connect
Pantone Connect is a dedicated app designed for all color conversions, edits, and adjustments you can make with Pantone colors including Pantone TCX. It’s the official Pantone color management platform, which gives the best possible accuracy for PS conversion and consistency to make their use flawless.
You can convert color models like LAB, CMYK, HEX, and RGB to PMS colors and perform reverse conversions. It’s an excellent platform for graphic designers, regardless of their work. You can use the platform on the web, as an extension, or as a mobile app, giving you complete flexibility over your work.
Main Features
- Pantone schemes and cards;
- Easy sharing capabilities;
- Conversion tools;
- Extraction tools;
- Matching tools;
- Color picking tools;
- Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Pros & Cons
✔ Over 15,000 Pantone color options;
✔ Can convert any color model to Pantone and the other way around;
✔ It has a web version, a web extension, and a mobile app.
✖ Expensive.
Pricing
- $14.99 per month;
- $89.99 annually.
How to Refine Your Colors
Refining your colors before and after conversion is essential for getting the best possible results. Luckily, there are many tools you can also utilize to make your work easier.
Quickly Color Images in a Batch
If you’re working with black-and-white images, you know how annoying it can be to color all of the images individually. Luckily, various AI-powered coloring tools can quickly color images with smart AI algorithms to give you quality colors. That helps you go through many images quickly and move them down the process.
Adjust White Balance
Adjust white balance to correct color cast problems. Additionally, you can also use curve and level adjustment layers to balance the colors evenly.
Adjust Saturation and Contrast
Adjust these two elements by customizing lakers like hue/saturation and brightness/contrast. It ensures that your images have vibrant colors and a great tonal range.
Check Color Accuracy
Always compare the colors in the image to the original after converting colors. Zoom in and closely examine all the details to ensure all the essential colors are consistent and accurate.
Conclusion
Some of the best tools to convert CMYK to Pantone TCX are Photoshop, Pantone Connect, CMYK Tool CMYK to Pantone Converter, and DNS Checker CMYK to Pantone Converter. Take the time to try them out and see how well they work.
Some are more suited for beginners, while others allow you to do additional work with your colors. It’s all about finding the best solution for your current needs.