This quickset PMS Reflex Blue ink is a high-pigment Pantone spot color formulated for offset press work. Shipped in a 5 lb can, it's built for commercial print runs where color matching matters. PMS Reflex Blue C is one of the most widely specified Pantone colors in print, and this quickset formulation gives you reliable coverage with a faster set time on press.
Features and Benefits
The quickset formula sets faster than standard offset inks, keeping production moving on coated and uncoated stock. Pantone Reflex Blue carries a high pigment load, so you get strong color density in a single pass. That pigment concentration also makes PMS Reflex Blue C an effective base for mixing analogous and complementary color shades on press.
Because Reflex Blue is one of the 18 base PMS color inks in the Pantone mixing system, it's a pure pigment rather than a blend. Mixing Pantone Reflex Blue with base inks like Pantone 012 Yellow or Process Black lets you create analogous and complementary color shades. Blending it with warm red or magenta produces purple and violet tones that hold up across long runs.
The ink is manufactured in the USA and compatible with standard fountain solutions. It runs cleanly on most commercial offset presses, and the quickset finish means less smudging between passes. For roller maintenance after running high-pigment PMS colors like Reflex Blue, a rubber rejuvenator helps restore roller condition.
Product Specifications
PMS color: Pantone PMS Reflex Blue C (Coated color system). Formulation: quickset offset lithographic ink. Can size: 5 lb. Manufactured in the USA. Pantone Reflex Blue is classified under Basic colors in the Pantone Matching System. The "C" designation indicates Coated stock; a separate Reflex Blue U spec exists for uncoated surfaces.
If your shop uses a different PMS color or can size, contact us at 860-516-6393 or email info@printingsuppliesdirect.com and we'll help you source other Pantone colors.
What PMS Reflex Blue Is Used For
PMS Reflex Blue C is a Pantone spot color used for logos, packaging, and collateral where PMS color consistency is non-negotiable. The deep blue-violet undertone of Pantone Reflex Blue conveys trust and authority, which is why you'll find PMS Reflex Blue C in corporate identities, national flags, and print graphics across industries.
Beyond branding, Pantone Reflex Blue is a popular choice for print shops running spot color jobs on offset printing ink stations. Any job specifying a Pantone color reference for Reflex Blue C requires this ink rather than a CMYK process build, because CMYK can't replicate the depth of PMS Reflex Blue pigment.
Ink Coverage and Color Matching
Pantone Reflex Blue's high pigment load means strong coverage, but Reflex Blue C also behaves differently from lighter inks on press. The pigment concentration can slow drying time, so adjust spray powder or allow extra time between passes. Raw PMS Reflex Blue C ink can smudge if sheets are stacked too soon, especially on coated stock.
Reproducing PMS Reflex Blue C through CMYK printing is notoriously difficult because process inks can't match the vibrancy of the Pantone pigment. The result is often a duller, lighter version. For color accuracy, run Pantone Reflex Blue C as a spot color on a dedicated press station. Coated stock gives the strongest color display and finish; on uncoated stock PMS Reflex Blue C appears more muted, so account for that difference when proofing.
Don't rely on an on screen representation to judge PMS colors, since displays don't show them correctly. A Pastels and Neons Guide or standard Pantone color reference helps verify the match under correct lighting conditions.
Reflex Blue vs. Process Blue and Royal Blue
Pantone PMS Reflex Blue and PMS Process Blue (PMS 7461 C) are not interchangeable. Process Blue is a lighter, cyan-leaning PMS color closer to a heavy cyan hit in CMYK printing. Pantone Reflex Blue sits darker and more violet on the color wheel, with a richness Process Blue can't match.
PMS Royal Blue (PMS 286 C) is closer to Reflex Blue but lighter and less saturated. Place all three in a Pantone book and Reflex Blue is the darkest, Process Blue the lightest, and Royal Blue falls in between. The "reflex" in the name refers to how light reflects off the porous mineral pigments in Reflex Blue, creating an intense color that similar dark blues don't replicate. Always confirm your color against a physical Pantone book rather than relying on an on screen representation.
The ink works on 100lb paper stock, lighter text-weight sheets, heavier cover stock, and specialty papers and printing media. For sheet-fed jobs, 82 Mist pallet adhesive helps keep stock in register. Reflex Blue C holds its intensity even when printed next to complementary PMS colors or process inks on the same sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Pantone Color Reflex Blue C?
Pantone Color Reflex Blue C (PMS Reflex Blue C) is a deep, high-pigment blue with a blue-violet undertone, classified as a spot color in the Pantone Matching System under the Coated color system. Designers and printers specify Pantone Reflex Blue C for logos, packaging, and collateral where exact PMS color consistency is required. It prints on coated and uncoated offset stock as well as specialty media like fine art dual sided paper.
What PMS Is Process Blue?
PMS Process Blue (PMS 7461 C) is a lighter, cyan-leaning PMS color in the Pantone color system, noticeably cooler than Pantone Reflex Blue. Don't confuse these two Pantone colors when specifying inks, as the printed results look different on the sheet.
What PMS Is Royal Blue?
PMS Royal Blue corresponds to PMS 286 C. It's a strong blue similar to Reflex Blue but a bit lighter and less saturated. In a Pantone book, Royal Blue reads as a cleaner, mid-range blue while Reflex Blue carries a deeper, darker violet shift.
Why Is It Called Reflex Blue?
The name refers to the reflective quality of the pigment. Reflex Blue's formulation includes porous mineral pigments that reflect light in a way that creates an intense, saturated blue on the printed surface. That characteristic separates it from similar dark blues in the Pantone system and is the source of the "reflex" designation. Browse our full range of printing inks and dye sublimation paper for more color and media options.
Shop PMS Reflex Blue and the full selection of Spinks offset inks at Printing Supplies Direct. For wide-format color work, see our fine art canvas paper collection. All orders ship free to the contiguous 48 states. Call 860-516-6393 or email info@printingsuppliesdirect.com.
By the Printing Supplies Direct Team.
