Pantone Selects Color of the Year for 2008: PANTONE^® 18-3943 Blue Iris

CARLSTADT, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, selected PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris, a beautifully balanced blue-purple, as the color of the year for 2008. Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.

“As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays.”

“From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays.”

Blue Iris is also one of the 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE PAINTS combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Painting a wall in Blue Iris will add an elegant level of composure with a touch of dynamism to any room.

About PANTONE PAINTS

Created in partnership with Fine Paints of Europe, PANTONE PAINTS empower discerning homeowners and designers to confidently specify and accurately match their favorite PANTONE Colors in paint. PANTONE PAINTS are formulated using only the finest pigments, oils and resins, never resorting to inexpensive fillers. A proprietary tinting system produces a level of accuracy, covering power and beauty unobtainable from any other source. The enamels yield 50 percent more coverage per ounce than any product produced in North America, and the wall paints can be scrubbed without color change or burnishing. PANTONE PAINTS are available at www.pantonepaint.com, by calling (866) MY-COLOR, and at authorized PANTONE PAINT partners nationwide. More information is available at www.pantonepaint.com.

About Pantone, Inc.

Pantone, Inc. has been the world’s color authority for more than 45 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone now offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information is available at www.pantone.com.

PANTONE^®…The color of ideas^SM.

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