Adobe: Pantone color palettes will require a subscription in the future; otherwise only black will remain

Beginning in November, software maker Adobe will remove nearly all of the pre-installed Pantone color libraries from several of its application programs. The step has been announced for a long time, but now users see a corresponding message when they open a file, and only black instead of the Pantone colors they previously used. At least if you haven’t concluded a separate license agreement with Pantone (that means: in addition to the costs incurred for using Adobe software in the Creative Cloud). Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are affected, Adobe writes on the “Adobe Color” support website.

Of the previously integrated so-called Pantone Color Books, only three free remain: “Pantone + Coated CMYK”, “Pantone + Uncoated CMYK” and “Pantone + Metallic Coated”. If you want to continue to use the other Pantone color books, you must obtain a license through the “Pantone Connect” plugin, it says in the support document. The move was announced many months ago: As early as April, Adobe noted in this document that beginning in August they would begin “phasing out” Pantone color books (with the three exceptions) via software updates; a separate license with Pantone is required. Just a while ago it was also said there that the measure would be implemented from November.

Users only see black

The support message may have escaped the attention of many users: the drastic cut that is now pending is not recognized in it: all the Pantone colors used so far, which disappear behind the new ‘paywall’, are represented by black areas. And also in files that were created before the change. Corresponding references and screenshots, as well as angry comments, are already making the rounds on Twitter.

A required premium subscription to Pantone Connect currently costs $14.99 per month or $89.99 per year for individuals, according to Pantone’s website; business customers may have higher prices. These prices are also mentioned in the description of the Pantone Connect plug-in on Adobe’s “Exchange” plug-in marketplace. Adobe users are now airing their discontent with the new pricing policy: with poor ratings.

(tw)