In the vibrant and diverse printing landscape of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, understanding color systems is essential for medical device engineers during packaging design.
In this article, we explore three common color systems used in APAC: Pantone, CMYK, and DIC—highlighting their strengths, limitations, and relevance in healthcare packaging printing.
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
Origin: USA (Pantone LLC)
Type: Proprietary spot color system
Regional Use: Global, including APAC
Photo Credits: PANTONE
Developed by Pantone in the United States, the proprietary spot color system is a globally recognized standard for precise color matching, including widespread use across the APAC medical packaging industry. Unlike process color models, Pantone’s spot color system enables exact replication of specific hues, which is crucial for maintaining brand consistency and meeting stringent regulatory requirements in medical packaging.
Strengths:
- Precise color matching
- Advanced digital color library (e.g., PantoneLIVE)
- International recognition
Limitations:
- High ink and running costs
- Not all colors are FDA-approved for direct human contact
Use in Healthcare:
Pantone is widely used in medical packaging for logos, warnings, and branding elements that require high visibility and consistency. It is also printed onto breathable non-woven substrates such as DuPont™ Tyvek®, paper, film, and foil laminates.
CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black)
Origin: USA (Eagle Printing Ink Company)
Type: Subtractive process color model
Regional Use: Global, including APAC
The first known use of CMYK in commercial printing was in 1906, when the Eagle Printing Ink Company introduced the four-color wet ink process1. This innovation allowed printers to combine cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to produce clear and legible packaging that meets international healthcare standards.
Strengths:
- Cost-effective for high-volume printing
- Flexible across printing methods
- Widely supported by commercial printers
Limitations:
- Color accuracy can vary between printing runs
- Less suitable for precise printing
Use in Healthcare:
CMYK is commonly used for printing manuals and inserts. As well as for safety-critical elements like warnings or color-coded labels. It’s often paired with spot colors for better accuracy.
DIC Color System
Origin: Japan (DIC Corporation)
Type: Proprietary spot color system
Regional Use: Predominantly used in Japan and parts of APAC
Photo Credits: DIC
Developed by DIC Corporation, this proprietary spot color system is especially prominent in medical packaging across Japan. Use of DIC driven by cultural familiarity of Japanese MDMs, in which they prefer to adopt color systems developed within their own country.
Strengths:
- Strong regional adoption
- Consistency across substrates
- Medical relevance
Limitations:
- Limited global recognition
- Less robust digital integration
Use in Healthcare:
DIC colors are frequently used in Japanese medical packaging due to their reliability and consistency, especially for regulated items like pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
Summary Comparison
|
DIC |
CMYK |
Pantone |
|
|
Region Dominance |
APAC (Japan) |
Global |
Global |
|
Color Accuracy |
High (spot) |
Medium |
High (spot) |
|
Digital Color Tools |
Limited |
Standard |
Advanced |
|
Prevalence |
High |
Common |
High |
Final Thoughts
In the diverse and regulated landscape of medical device packaging across APAC, there is no universally “correct” color system. Each — whether Pantone, CMYK or DIC — offers distinct advantages and limitations shaped by technical capabilities, regulatory requirements, and regional preferences. To drive successful market entry and regulatory compliance, medical device engineers must evaluate color systems through a strategic lens, by balancing cost-efficiency and regional preferences to select the solution that best supports their product.
Appendix
1Thomas A. Lenci and the Eagle Printing Ink Company – CMYK History
