PANTONE, an X-Rite company, has announced PANTONE®18-1438 Marsala, a naturally robust and earthy wine red, as the Color of the Year for 2015.
“While PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid, the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body, and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the PANTONE Color Institute®. “Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding, red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings, and interiors.”
What does this mean for packaging? A rich contrasting color, Marsala is ideal for use in graphic design and packaging, PANTONE advises. Because the color is eye-catching, but not overwhelming or bright, PANTONE says that consumers are immediately drawn to the hue, making it an alluring shade at point-of-purchase. As packaging becomes increasingly more artistic, the company says that Marsala will be a natural fit for both high- and low-tech materials, including on-shelf periodicals as well as printed assets, like calendars and stationery.
Notes PANTONE, its Color of the Year selection requires careful consideration and to arrive at the selection, the company combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the fashion and entertainment industries, including films that are in production, the world of art, popular travel destinations, and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, the availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.
Among some of the most recent selections were PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid in 2014, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald in 2013, and PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango in 2012.
PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala can be cross-referenced to all other PANTONE Libraries, including PANTONE PLUS for graphic design.
