If a perfect match between a plastic part and a fabric trim is non-negotiable, choose one substrate as the "Master Standard." Send physical cuttings of that master to all vendors so they can adjust their dye lots to match the physical sample, rather than relying solely on the book numbers.
A: In theory, yes. The color number (e.g., 14-0955) refers to the same color identity. However, in practice, the color will look slightly different because one is dyed into cotton fabric (TCX) and the other is printed with ink on paper (TPX). The difference is often called "metamerism".
Physical TCX cotton passport books cost significantly more than TPG paper fan decks. Freelancers and small studios often use paper guides as a lower-cost entry point into the Pantone system. pantone tcx to tpx converter
Here lies the problem:
Never send a vendor just the six-digit code. Writing "Use Pantone 18-3838" causes confusion. Always write Pantone 18-3838 TCX for fabric or Pantone 18-3838 TPG for hard surfaces. If a perfect match between a plastic part
If you've ever looked at a Pantone swatch and wondered why it has two different codes for what looks like the same color, you aren't alone. For designers in the fashion, home, and interior (FHI) industries, the "TCX" vs. "TPX" (now TPG) debate is a daily reality.
You can use digital utilities to bridge the gap between formats: However, in practice, the color will look slightly
There is no "magic algorithm" software that mathematically converts the hex code, because the relationship is based on physical swatches. However, there are three reliable methods to convert between the two systems.
While the official X-Ref web utility has been discontinued, several reliable methods remain for converting Pantone colors.