If you are screen printing onto fabric using a TCX reference (e.g., a customer provides a fabric sample or TCX code), you actually should be working with ink formulas.
If you only need a rough estimate, you can:
Colors look different depending on the substrate (material) they are applied to. Cotton (TCX) absorbs light and has a matte texture, while coated paper (C) reflects light due to the ink and glossy coating. Because of these chemical and physical differences, a TCX color may not have an exact physical twin in the Coated library. 3. How to Convert TCX to Pantone C tcx to pantone c
Always provide the color specification for the final application's substrate.
How close is the match?
The Ultimate Guide to Converting TCX to Pantone C: Matching Textile and Print Colors
| System | Full Name | Format | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Solid Coated | Ink on coated paper | Print, packaging, branding on glossy media | | Pantone U | Solid Uncoated | Ink on uncoated paper | Print on matte, absorbent paper | | Pantone TCX | Textile Cotton eXtended | Dyed cotton fabric swatch | Apparel, textiles, soft goods manufacturing | | Pantone TPX | Textile Paper eXtended (Legacy) | Ink on coated paper | Early design inspiration, general reference | If you are screen printing onto fabric using
While digital tools make this conversion instant, the results are rarely a "perfect match." The physical substrates (cotton vs. coated paper) reflect light differently, leading to perceptible shifts in depth and saturation. This review assesses the accuracy, tools, and best practices for this conversion.