Planet Money
The color monopoly
Jul 20, 2024
Discover the intriguing tale of Pantone, the powerhouse behind color standards in design, and how it gained its monopoly. Hear about the chaos caused when colors vanished from an artist's files due to corporate control. Delve into the challenges of color consistency in printing through personal stories, and explore the legal battles that secured Pantone's dominance. Meet Freetone, a free alternative rose to challenge this monopoly. Also, join the fun debate on what color could represent the show's identity!
22:03
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Quick takeaways
- Establishing a color standard through meticulous research and collaboration is crucial in industries like printing.
- Challenging a dominant color system to promote fairness and sustainability in global color representation.
Deep dives
Pantone Standard Creation
Larry Herbert observed that it was difficult to communicate about colors accurately in the printing industry, leading him to create the Pantone Matching System (PMS). He meticulously researched and selected 500 commonly used colors, developing ink formulas for each color for consistency. By collaborating with small ink manufacturers, he gained initial support before expanding his standard globally, demonstrating the importance of thoughtful standards.
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