Pantone has long dominated color trends, with its Color of the Year highly anticipated by designers. Can the Pantone color matching system still hold its relevance in web design? What about Coloro, a newer system designed with digital products in mind? This is why Pantone vs. Coloro for web design is now a relevant discussion, as Coloro emerges as a strong competitor.
How does this rivalry impact web design? Will Coloro challenge Pantone’s dominance? Let’s explore their pros and cons to make better color choices for web design.
Pantone Color System
The Pantone Color System has the widely known and used as a standardized color-matching system since 1963. It helps ensure colors match across different industries and locations. It is traditionally associated with print design, but many industries use this color system, including graphic and web design. However, when used in web design, Pantone colors must be converted to RGB or HEX codes.
Although converting Pantone colors to digital formats can sometimes cause slight discrepancies due to screen variations, the Pantone color system remains widely used. Several factors contribute to its advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a summary of its pros and cons.
Pros of Using Pantone in Web Design
- No matter how hype the discussion of Pantone vs Coloro is for web design, Pantone is industry standard for branding, ensuring color consistency across print and digital materials.
- More familiar to designers, and with this familiarity, they can easily align the color web and print assets.
- Reliable for companies, especially those with a strong physical and digital presence.
Cons of Using Pantone in Web Design
- Since it requires conversion to RGB/HEX, it leads to a potential color shift.
- Limited direct use in web design software compared to digital-native color models.
Coloro Color System
Compared to Pantone, Coloro is a relatively new color system. First introduced in 2017, it was designed to help creatives, suppliers, and manufacturers work together more effectively. It emphasizes bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds, aiming to create a common international color standard.
Coloro uses a three-dimensional model based on hue, chroma, and lightness, making it potentially more adaptable for digital applications like web design. It also takes a scientific approach to color prediction and trends, ensuring reliable color forecasting. So, what are the pros and cons of using Coloro in web design?
Pros of Using Coloro in Web Design
- It is more aligned with digital screens as it focuses on perceptual accuracy.
- Thanks to its scientific approach, it provides a predictive color model, helping designers stay ahead of trends.
- When it comes to Pantone vs. Coloro for web design, Coloro serves as a fresh alternative for brands in search of unique, trend-driven palettes.
Cons of Using Coloro in Web Design
- As a new color system, Coloro is not as widely adopted in branding as Pantone.
- Its seven-digit unique code has limited integration with major web design tools compared to RGB or HEX.
Pantone vs. Coloro for Web Design: Which One is Better?
Neither Pantone nor Coloro is a direct standard for digital screens. However, when considering these two color systems for web design, there are key factors to keep in mind.
If your brand requires consistency between print and digital platforms, Pantone is the better choice. As an industry standard, it offers a wide color range that ensures accuracy across various media.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for trend-driven colors with a perceptual focus on digital screens, Coloro is the ideal option due to its scientific approach to color prediction and usability.
So, What’s the Color of the Year from Pantone and Coloro?
As different as they are in the Pantone vs. Coloro for web design debate, each color system has announced a unique Color of the Year for 2025. Pantone introduces a warm, brown-toned shade called Mocha Mousse, while Coloro presents a bold and deep hue, Future Dusk, a blend of blue and purple.
Mocha Mousse (Pantone 17-1230) is reminiscent of chocolate and coffee, designed to evoke comfort, sophistication, and a connection to nature. According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, this shade elevates brown from a humble and grounded color to one that is aspirational and luxurious. Its versatility makes it suitable for various applications, effortlessly complementing a wide range of colors and styles.
What about Future Dusk from Coloro? Future Dusk (Coloro 129-35-18) exudes a sense of mystery and escapism. It aligns with themes of transition and transformation, resonating with periods of significant change. Furthermore, this color is ideal for creating immersive and transformative designs. Its celestial appeal ties into the growing interest in space exploration and technology, offering a futuristic yet timeless quality.
Even though the two shades look very different visually and tonally, they have several similarities. Both Mocha Mousse and Future Dusk reflect a desire for comfort, transformation, and a deeper connection to our surroundings. It makes each of them offer unique inspirations for designers and users alike.
Is the Color of the Year from Pantone & Coloro a Safe Use for Web Design?
Speaking of usability in web design, both Color of the Year from Pantone and Coloro are applicable. However, when it comes to safe use, it depends on several factors.
Contrast & Accessibility
Not all Pantone or Coloro Colors of the Year meet WCAG contrast standards, potentially affecting readability. Designers should test contrast to ensure text remains legible, especially for backgrounds, buttons, and key UI elements.
Digital Compatibility
Pantone colors are primarily designed for print, requiring conversion to RGB or HEX for web use, which may cause color shifts. In contrast, Coloro’s system is more adaptable to digital applications.
Web-Safe Considerations
Some vibrant or muted tones may not display consistently across browsers and screens. Pairing them with web-safe neutrals like white, gray, or black ensures better stability and a balanced design.
Trend Relevance vs. Longevity
The Color of the Year is a trend-driven choice that may become outdated over time. For branding or UI, consider whether the color aligns with long-term identity and usability.
Additional Tips in Applying Pantone vs Coloro for Web Design
At the end of the day, regardless of the Pantone vs. Coloro for web design debate, it is up to brand owners and designers to choose the best option. Whichever color system is applied, it should align with brand identity, accessibility, and digital adaptability to ensure a visually appealing, functional, and user-friendly web design. Lastly, regular testing and adjustments are essential to maintain consistency across different devices and screen resolutions.
