Pantone Color of the Year 2012
The Pantone Color of the Year 2012 is Tangerine Tango (17-1463). Its HEX approximation is #DD4124. A vivid orange that pulsed with energy — the color of re-engagement and joyful momentum.
About Tangerine Tango
A vivid orange that pulsed with energy — the color of re-engagement and joyful momentum.
Pantone announced Tangerine Tango as its Color of the Year 2012 in December 2011, following the program's annual cadence. The announcement placed the shade within the broader cultural conversation of the year — from fashion and interiors to graphics and packaging — and was accompanied by coordinated product releases from partner brands who had pre-adopted the color. Like every Pantone Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango is a TCX reference (17-1463) rather than a Solid Coated (C) code, reflecting the program's textile-focused selection framework.
In practical design terms, Tangerine Tango translates to a screen HEX of #DD4124 and a CMYK print approximation of 0/71/84/13. The precise printed result depends on paper, ink, and proof conditions. For brand-critical work that references Tangerine Tango, the safest approach is to specify the 17-1463 TCX reference directly to your printer or textile supplier, and to verify with a printed proof on the target stock before committing to production.
Closest Solid Coated match
If you need to reproduce Tangerine Tango with a Solid Coated (C) reference, the closest match in our catalog is 3516 C (#DC3513), with a perceptual difference of ΔE 2000 = 2.42. This is a very close match — suitable for most print reproduction needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pantone Color of the Year 2012?
The Pantone Color of the Year 2012 is Tangerine Tango (17-1463). Pantone announced it as the shade that its Color of the Year Committee believed would best reflect the cultural mood and design trends of 2012. Its HEX approximation is #DD4124.
What is the HEX code for Tangerine Tango?
Tangerine Tango is a Pantone TCX reference (17-1463), not a HEX color. Its closest screen approximation is #DD4124 in the sRGB color space, with RGB channels 221, 65, 36 and CMYK print approximation 0/71/84/13. These values are approximations and should not be treated as authoritative — the Pantone code is the actual specification.
What Pantone Solid Coated code is closest to Tangerine Tango?
The closest match in our Solid Coated catalog to Tangerine Tango (17-1463) is 3516 C at #DC3513, with a perceptual difference of approximately ΔE 2000 = 2.42. This is a very close match and is likely suitable for print reproduction.
How do I use Tangerine Tango in my design?
For digital design, use the HEX value #DD4124 — it will render correctly across browsers. For print design, specify the Pantone TCX reference 17-1463 to your printer, or convert to the closest Solid Coated (C) code (3516 C). For textile and fashion applications, the TCX code itself is the standard — no conversion is necessary if your manufacturer works with Pantone textile references.