Pantone TPG vs Pantone TCX | 6 Differences Explained in Detail

Pantone, Revolution in Colours Explaining in Detail

Pantone is a globally accepted colour referencing system that has been able to create a lasting impressing throughout the world. It is given birth to a barrage of industry-specific colour referencing charts that have been used as the foundation to communicate, match and inspire designers in the colour specific genre. With precision in shades, Pantone has created colours on different materials that produce the exact colour that will be utilised by the specific industry. Below are two of the variations offered by Pantone that have excellent functionality in their specific industries.

Pantone TCX

When two colours are the same, the surface it is printed on can make all the difference. A fabric absorbs the colour more than any other medium and the TCX Pantone swatches are dyed to aid designers in the textile industry. Pantone TCX stands for Textile Cotton edition extended range which includes colour charts that help textile designers decipher the necessary colours. Being an industry-specific shade card, all the Pantone TCX swatches are dyed on 100 percentage cotton swatches giving the users the precision in shades. The medium of the swatches plays an integral role as they are meant to mimic the colour that will be seen on the final product. For the textile industry that deals with fabrics, a TCX cotton swatch gives the accuracy of the shade that is desired.

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Pantone TPG

TPG is the suffix for Textile Paper Green and provides two shade referencing books under its umbrella. This Pantone shade card genre was earlier referred to as TPX Textile Paper eXtended which was used for in the fashion and home décor industry. The name was changed to Pantone TPG as the earlier method used colours that ad a harmful side effect to the environment. TPG as the names states is the greener replacement to the shade charts that use chemicals and colour formulas that does not harm the surroundings much. The absence of harmful chemicals like chromium and lead has made this the greener option. The TPG swatches are created by adding lacquer to a coated stock paper.

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Difference Between TCX and TPG

TPG and TCX are found within the Fashion, Home + Interiors shade referencing genre and are yet used for different products within these specifications. There are distinct differences between TPG and TCX shade cards which have been highlighted below. Explaining Pantone TPG vs Pantone TCX in detail.

Industries using the right Pantone Book

As mentioned above, Pantone has created distinct shade cards that are used for specific industries, which optimises the quality of the shade charts and presents relevant information only. The TCX and TPG are used for different products within the Fashion, Home + Interior department. TCX is used for all fabric relevant textile products. With the swatches produced in cotton, the Pantone TCX gives maximum precision in colour allowing the designer to visualise the shade when it is printed on any fabric. From garments to rugs a TCX shade card can decipher the exact shade that will be seen on the final outcome of the fabrics. TPG is available on paper unlike the cotton swatches presented by TCX and is mainly used for coating of surface like furniture, cosmetic product casings, leather goods, paints and chemical.

Pricing of Pantone TCX vs Pantone TPG

There is a mammoth difference in price between the TCX colour shade cards and TPG shade cards. The TCX provides the buyers with four options to pick from and give them a plethora of options in casings that can be used for a long time. With a longer shelf life, TCX uses 100 percentage cotton swatches within all its shade referencing books making it the more expensive option. Some of the TCX colour charts also encompass a variety of books within itself which adds to its expense. TPG shade cards are much cheaper as it uses paper instead of fabric and has one smaller fanlike shade charts from a lower price range and a more expensive specifier guide.  

Products

Within TCX and TPG categories as well, there are a variety of products presented to help the designers. Below are the different products that are found within these two specifications.

Pantone TCX Colour Charts

The following are the 4 colour charts that are made available within the Pantone TCX genre –

1. Pantone TCX Cotton Swatch Library Fashion, Home + Interiors – With a series of 6 binder spine books, this TCX colour referencing chart is the most expensive option that is made available. It encompasses a large variety in hardbound cases that as the name suggests acts as a library of TCX swatches.
2. Pantone TCX Cotton Passport – A compact shade chart that is well-bound displays 2625 colours with an addition of 315 new shades. This TCX shade card opens in a folio-style and the colours are arranged in a chromatic manner making it easy to spot the colours.
3. Pantone TCX Cotton Planner – This TCX referencing chart is made available in a compact size with the cotton swatches stuck on the pages with the TCX colour name mentioned below the respective shade.
4. Pantone TCX Cotton Chip Set – With removable chips in the size of 1”x1”, The TCX Cotton Chip Set is an ideal shade card that assists the designers in creating mood boards and presentation.

Pantone TPG Colour Charts

The following 2 charts are created by Pantone TPG –

1. Pantone Colour Guide TPG -Fashion, Home + Interiors – With 2625 colours this fan-shaped colour guide is compact and portable. It includes 315 new Pantone TPG shades as well which gives the buyers a deeper insight into the new shades available to use within these industries.
2. Pantone Colour Specifies and Guide Set – This colour shade card is the more expensive product of TPG and has more to offer. It contains 2310 shades and 315 new TPG shades as well. This TPG set contains two books and two guide sets. This provides the users with the option of 6 removable chips that can be attached to other surfaces as well. This is an ideal shade cart as it not only allows matching, comparing and conceptualising ideas with the help of colours but also provides removable chips that can be used for mood boards and presentations.

Advantages and Disadvantages of TPG and TCX

TPG is a more economical option compared to TCX and includes the same variety of colours within its shade charts. Both TPG and TCX are used in Fashion, Home + Interiors but the products used within these industries require the different shade charts. The TCX is used for fabrics that are seen on garments, rugs, bed linens and any soft material fabric that absorbs the colours. The TCX is ideal for these materials as they provide accuracy in colour since the swatches are made out of 100 percent cotton. TPG cannot give the accurate shade for fabrics as it is not dyed on fabric and is ideally used for coating of furniture, hard casings, paint and chemicals. With different applicable surfaces, TPG and TCX cannot be used to create accurate recreations of the colours seen on the shade cards if it is used on different surfaces. TCX is the more expensive option which works to its disadvantage over TPG but offers its money’s worth with a large selection of colours. TPG has a lower and a higher prices option which can be found online.