Can You Send a HEX Code to a Clothing Manufacturer?
Can you send a HEX code to a clothing manufacturer? You can, but a HEX code alone is not enough to dye fabric. A HEX value describes light on a screen. A dye house matches to a physical standard, so it needs a Pantone TCX code, a physical reference and a written tolerance.
Send a HEX code only as a starting reference. A dye house matches fabric to a physical standard, so add the nearest Pantone TCX code, a physical swatch for critical colors, and a written tolerance. A HEX value describes light on one screen, and no two screens are calibrated the same.
Why a HEX code is not enough for a dye house
A HEX code is a way of writing an RGB screen color. It tells a monitor how much red, green and blue light to show. It says nothing about dye, fiber, fabric surface or lighting.
Screens also differ. The same code can look different on a phone, a laptop and a calibrated monitor, because brightness, color profile and viewing angle change what you see.
A dye house works differently. It dyes your actual fabric, measures the result and compares it with a standard. That standard has to be a physical sample or a measured value. Pantone itself sells its cotton swatch cards (opens in a new tab) with a barcode for ordering spectral data, so production can work from measured color and not from a screen.
What to send instead of a HEX code
- The nearest Pantone TCX code, written in full. For example, PANTONE 19-4052 TCX. TCX is Pantone's cotton standard for fashion, home and interiors.
- A physical reference for critical colors. Use a Pantone cotton swatch, an existing garment or a fabric sample.
- A tolerance and a formula. For example, ΔE CMC 2:1 ≤ 1.0. See what Delta E is acceptable for a lab dip.
- The light sources for visual approval. For example, D65 and TL84.
- The fabric composition and the parts that should dye to match. Rib, drawstrings and tape are common examples.
When a HEX code is still useful
A HEX code helps in three places: design files and mockups, website or catalog images, and as a reference next to the TCX code. Label it clearly so nobody treats it as the production standard.
Example: Shell fabric: PANTONE 19-4052 TCX (Classic Blue). HEX reference only: #0F4C81.
How to turn a HEX code into a TCX code
Enter the HEX code in the SDF color converter. It lists the five closest TCX colors ranked by ΔE2000 and shows how close each match is. Check the top match against a physical Pantone swatch before you write it into your tech pack.
The converter can also write the specification line for you, with the component, tolerance and light sources already filled in. Read how to write Pantone TCX codes in a tech pack for more examples.
What if no TCX color is close?
Some screen colors have no close cotton equivalent. Very bright, saturated screen colors are often outside what dye on cotton can reach. When the best TCX match is more than about 5 ΔE away, the converter marks it as No close match.
In that case, choose a nearby TCX color that you like, or send a physical sample that your dye house can try to match. Approve the result on your actual fabric.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a HEX code in a purchase order?
You can add it as a reference, but do not rely on it. A purchase order should name the TCX code, the fabric, the tolerance and the approval method. If a HEX code is the only color information, the dye house has nothing physical to match. Use the color converter to find the TCX code first.
Is a HEX code the same as an RGB value?
Yes. HEX is another way to write RGB. The HEX code #0F4C81 is the same color as RGB 15, 76, 129. Both describe screen light, and neither describes dye.
Do I need to buy a physical Pantone swatch?
For critical colors, yes. A physical swatch or an existing fabric sample gives the dye house something to measure. Pantone sells cotton swatch cards for its Fashion, Home + Interiors colors, and each card carries a barcode for ordering spectral data separately. For less critical colors, a TCX code and a written tolerance may be enough. Ask your supplier what they need.
What if my manufacturer only asks for a Pantone number?
Send the full TCX code, not only the number. A number without its suffix does not say which Pantone system it belongs to. The TCX, PMS and TPG guide explains how the systems differ.
Sources and further reading
Need a lab dip or bulk dyeing from Bangladesh?
Send your TCX code, fabric and target tolerance with your tech pack. We will advise on achievable color tolerances for your production run.
Request a Lab Dip QuotePANTONE® and TCX are trademarks of Pantone LLC. SDF Clothing is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pantone. The color values on this site are approximations for reference and are not Pantone data.