Sun Chemical and X-Rite Incorporated have unveiled new metal packaging color libraries as part of the PantoneLIVE digital color ecosystem. These libraries are specifically designed for the drinks industry, with a focus on enabling precise visualization and communication of both Pantone colors and brand-specific colors. They are tailored for two-piece aluminium cans decorated with metal deco inks and finished in a matte texture.

A key goal of these libraries is to enhance color predictability and consistency. This helps brands and their packaging suppliers maintain uniform colors across different substrates and surface finishes, solving a common challenge in metal packaging production.

The new color libraries are accessible via a subscription to PantoneLIVE Production – Print and Packaging. They support the manufacturing of aluminium beverage cans, compatible with both opaque and transparent inks to achieve the desired matte effect. With more than 4,000 color options, the expanded libraries also extend PantoneLIVE’s support for metal packaging and metal decoration to a broader range of applications beyond beverage cans, including mono-bloc aerosols, aluminium collapsible tubes, cartridges, and felt pen cases.

Eduardo Alegria, Sun Chemical’s Global Champion for Metal Deco Inks, commented on the value of the initiative: “By leveraging PantoneLIVE’s extensive library of validated Pantone colors—developed specifically for metal deco inks—brands and their aluminium packaging suppliers can skip the time-consuming and expensive process of creating custom colors. This reduces delays, the need for reworks, and trials for ink application during the production of new designs, ultimately leading to a more consistent, efficient, and sustainable packaging workflow.”