Pantone is synonymous in many industries with color. Originally started as a small printing business company, it was transformed when Lawrence Herbert purchased it in 1962 and introduced an innovational color swatch book. Known as Pantone Matching System, or PMS, it provides reference colors that are used in a variety of industries to ensure that colors chosen match from one print job to another. Pantone has expanded its color matching system concept to other industries, including plastic, digital technology, fashion, home and paint. Today, Pantone is known worldwide as the standard for accurate color communication. The Pantone reputation lends extra credibility to its Color of the Year prognosis.