How to Write Pantone TCX Codes in a Tech Pack
To write a Pantone TCX code in a tech pack, put the full code with its TCX suffix next to the component, add the color name, and state how the color will be approved. A bare number or a HEX code leaves the dye house guessing. This guide gives copy-ready wording for each line.
Write it as PANTONE 19-4052 TCX (Classic Blue), name the component it applies to, and add the approval method: a lab dip on production fabric, the light sources and a written ΔE tolerance. For matched parts such as rib and drawstrings, add dye to match (DTM) to the approved fabric.
The five lines every colorway needs
- Component. Shell fabric, rib, lining, drawstring or hardware.
- Full code with suffix and name. PANTONE 19-4052 TCX (Classic Blue).
- Physical reference. A Pantone cotton swatch or fabric sample attached to the request. Keep any HEX code as a reference only.
- Approval method. Lab dip on production fabric, light sources, formula and tolerance.
- Trim notes. DTM instructions for rib, tape and thread, and the supplier chart for hardware.
Copy-ready wording
Use these lines as a starting point and change the codes and numbers to match your garment.
Shell fabric: PANTONE 19-4052 TCX (Classic Blue). Submit lab dips on the production fabric with the physical TCX swatch attached. Review under D65 and TL84. Tolerance: ΔE CMC 2:1 ≤ 1.0 against the approved standard. Written approval required before bulk dyeing.Rib, cuffs and drawstring: dye to match (DTM) the approved shell fabric. Submit a lab dip on each fabric quality and approve each one separately.Zippers and buttons: match PANTONE 19-4052 TPG. Supplier to confirm the closest available shade and send a physical sample for approval.Chest print: PANTONE 186 C (Solid Coated). Printer to confirm the match on the production fabric and send a strike-off for approval.Please submit two lab dip options per color on the production fabric. Label each with the TCX code, the fabric and the date.The color converter writes the fabric line for you. Enter a HEX code, pick the closest TCX match, choose the tolerance and copy the result.
What a finished colorway block looks like
| Component | Reference | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Shell fabric | PANTONE 19-4052 TCX (Classic Blue) | Lab dip, D65 and TL84, ΔE CMC 2:1 ≤ 1.0 |
| Rib and cuffs | Dye to match shell fabric | Lab dip on the rib fabric |
| Lining | PANTONE 11-0601 TCX (Bright White) | Lab dip, D65 and TL84 |
| Zipper | PANTONE 19-4052 TPG | Supplier sample |
| Chest print | PANTONE 186 C | Printer strike-off |
Each row names the component, the reference and the approval step. A supplier can read it without a phone call, which is what keeps the number of lab dip rounds down.
Common mistakes that cause color rejections
- Writing only a color name such as "navy" or "sky blue".
- Leaving out the TCX suffix, so the number could belong to any Pantone book.
- Using a PMS printing number for dyed fabric.
- Sending a HEX code as the only reference.
- Giving no tolerance, no formula and no light source.
- Forgetting trims, thread and drawstrings, which then arrive in a different shade.
- Approving a lab dip from a phone screen instead of a physical sample.
Where the physical reference comes from
Pantone sells a cotton swatch card (opens in a new tab) for each Fashion, Home + Interiors color, made from 100% cotton poplin. For color-critical work, attach it to the lab dip request. If you do not have one, send a fabric sample or an existing garment and say which one is the standard.
Read Pantone TCX vs PMS vs TPG to choose the right reference for prints and hardware, and the Delta E guide to set the tolerance. Our tech pack service can prepare the full specification for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to include the color name?
Yes, add it in brackets after the code. The code is the reference, and the name helps people catch typing mistakes. For example, 19-4052 is Classic Blue, and a different code with a similar number would carry a different name.
Should the tolerance go in the tech pack or the purchase order?
Both. The tech pack tells the factory how to develop and approve the color, and the purchase order is the commercial agreement. Repeat the formula and the limit in each so nothing conflicts.
What does DTM mean?
Dye to match. It tells the supplier to dye a part, such as rib, a drawstring or tape, to match the approved main fabric or another approved standard. Approve a lab dip for each material.
Can I add a HEX code next to the TCX code?
Yes, as a reference only. Write it as "HEX reference only" so nobody treats it as the production standard. Why a HEX code is not enough explains the risk.
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.