What do you think it’ll be?
From greens to yellows, oranges and everything in between, we asked our experts here at Brand Revolution what they think the Pantone Colour of the Year 2027 will be and why, and they didn’t disappoint!
Every year, Pantone's colour experts select a shade that captures the cultural mood, reflecting everything from fashion and design to technology, lifestyles and wider social trends. It's a pretty big task, and one that gets the creative world speculating well before the big reveal.
So, naturally, we couldn't resist getting involved.
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In Short…
- Pantone's Colour of the Year is an annual colour selection that reflects the cultural mood and influences shaping the year ahead.
- The choice is informed by global trends across fashion, interiors, art, technology and wider culture.
- Our team has put forward its predictions for 2027, with shades ranging from muted olive and terracotta to vibrant orange and deep chocolate.
- Whatever the winning shade, Pantone's Colour of the Year offers plenty of inspiration for branded merchandise, marketing campaigns and brand identities.
What's Pantone's Colour of the Year?
Established in 1999, Pantone's Colour of the Year report explores the relationship between colour and global culture.
Each year, experts at the Pantone Colour Institute select a shade that reflects the attitudes, aspirations and influences shaping the world around us. The team spends the year observing cultural shifts and emerging trends across fashion, interiors, entertainment, art, technology, and consumer behaviour, because everything can have an impact.
And the result is a colour that represents a snapshot of the world we're currently living in and the feelings influencing how we express ourselves.
You can explore the programme and previous announcements on Pantone's official Colour of the Year page.
Past Pantone Colours of the Year
Over the years, Pantone's selections have given us some memorable shades, each with its own personality and cultural story.
From calming blues to confident pinks and comforting neutrals, the colours offer an interesting look back at how our tastes and priorities have evolved.
Here are a few recent favourites:
2023: Viva Magenta
Bold, energetic and full of personality, Viva Magenta was all about courage, optimism and self-expression.
Read more: Will your brand be fearless this year?
2024: Peach Fuzz
A soft, warm peach that brought a little comfort and connection to your colour palette. It reflected a growing appreciation for kindness, togetherness and nurturing ourselves and others.
Read more: Product media trend predictions 2024
2025: Mocha Mousse
A rich, warming brown inspired by chocolate and coffee. Mocha Mousse tapped into our love of life's little pleasures, bringing a sense of comfort, indulgence and understated luxury.
2026: Cloud Dancer
A soft, airy white that represents tranquillity and the desire for a little breathing room in an increasingly noisy world.
Read more: 2026 Promotional merch trends inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year
Our Pantone Colour of the Year 2027 predictions
Now for the fun part!
We put the question to the Brand Revolution team: if you had to choose the Pantone Colour of the Year 2027, what would it be?
And they had plenty of thoughts! With a few bold choices thrown in and some, shall we say, interesting reasoning behind their predictions.
Here's what everyone had to say:
1. Terracotta
“I'm going with Pantone 2027c. Terracotta colour to bring some cheer!”
2. Cinnamon Stick
“I think it’ll also be a terracotta, cinnamon-sticky, 'clay'-ish colour! It's been realllly popular for a lot of interiors this year, and it kinda matches the muted, earthy neutrals that they've chosen the past few years.”
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3. Orange Tiger
“Orange Tiger! Something a bit brighter than the last few years.”
Ruby Tegen Daly, Global Client Services, EMEA
4. Rhodamine Red
“Keep it to yourself, but trackside gossip says Rhodamine Red has a very good chance for 2027!”
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5. Viva Magenta
“I’m thinking something similar to Viva Magenta, again!”
6. Pantone colours 319C or 1925C
“I’m thinking either a rich pink or a bright teal for 2027!”
7. Illuminating Yellow
“After Cloud Dancer, it might be nice to revisit some of the previous, brighter shades.”
8. Dark Chocolate
“I think it is going to be a deep, dark chocolate tone of some sort.”
9. Pantone 302C
“It’s like a deep ocean wave, for those dark and mysterious ocean vibes.”
10. Muted Olive
“Muted olive. Reason: we've not had a green for a while, and it reflects nature, growth, renewal, and balance.”
11. Pantone 627C
“With so much conversation around nature, sustainability and reconnecting with the outdoors, I think a rich green could be a fitting choice for 2027.”
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12. Pantone 802C or Flame Orange
“Ever the optimist, and with the current state of the world and impending doom, my guess is anything that resembles a radioactive green (such as 802c), or a burning fire (Flame Orange 11-1157 TCX). Hope I am wrong, though!”
Using Pantone Colours in your merch
Of course, Pantone's Colour of the Year isn't just something to admire on a colour chart. It's also a brilliant source of inspiration for brands looking to refresh their merchandise, campaigns and creative direction.
Colour plays an important role in how people recognise and experience a brand. The right shade can help communicate personality, create an emotional connection and make an otherwise everyday product feel that little more memorable.
So, whether Pantone chooses a vibrant orange, muted olive or something completely unexpected, here are a few ways to bring the colour trend into your branded merchandise.
1. Create a coordinated merchandise collection
A great place to start is with a collection of products built around your chosen colour palette.
Think matching drinkware, notebooks, tote bags and stationery, with a consistent colour running throughout.
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2. Give everyday essentials a colour refresh
Branded water bottles, reusable coffee cups, clothing and tech accessories are all opportunities to experiment with colour, and a trending shade can keep familiar merchandise feeling fresh.
3. Make colour part of your campaign
Why not use Pantone's Colour of the Year as inspiration for a wider marketing campaign?
You could build a seasonal gifting collection around the chosen shade, create a colour-themed employee welcome pack or use complementary merchandise to support an event or product launch.
4. Balance trends with your brand identity
But just because a colour is trending doesn't mean it needs to replace your existing brand colours. Instead, think about how you can introduce it without losing what makes your brand recognisable. A complementary product colour, contrasting packaging or a subtle accent can be enough to give your merchandise a contemporary feel.
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Pantone Colour of the Year FAQs
1. When is Pantone's Colour of the Year announced?
Pantone traditionally announces its Colour of the Year in December, ahead of the year it represents. So, we'll be looking out for the 2027 announcement towards the end of 2026.
2. Who chooses Pantone's Colour of the Year?
The Pantone Colour Institute's team of colour experts makes the selection. Their decision is informed by year-round research into global cultural influences, emerging trends and the relationship between colour and society.
3. Why is Pantone's Colour of the Year important?
The annual selection provides insight into wider cultural and design trends. It offers inspiration for designers, creatives and brands, helping them explore how colour can communicate ideas, emotions and identity.
4. Can brands use Pantone's Colour of the Year in their merchandise?
Absolutely! Brands can use the annual colour as inspiration for product selections, promotional merchandise, packaging and marketing campaigns. It's worth considering how the shade complements your existing brand identity and checking colour availability with your merchandise supplier.
Terracotta, or radioactive green?
So, that's our shortlist! From earthy neutrals and deep greens to fiery oranges and vibrant pinks, we've covered the entire colour spectrum, just to be sure!
Whether Pantone opts for something bold and energetic or continues its love affair with softer, earthy shades, one thing is certain: colour will continue to play an important role in how brands express themselves and connect with their audiences.
What do you think the Pantone Colour of the Year 2027 will be?
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