: Download the extension from the Adobe Exchange Marketplace.
Change the to RGB or CMYK and input the values you gathered from the Pantone website. Click OK .
If you open an old file and see grey swatches labeled "Pantone+ Solid Coated" (or similar), it means Illustrator cannot find the original color data.
If you have access to an older version of Illustrator (v27.0 or earlier), you can manually move the original color books to your current installation. download pantone colors for illustrator
If you have a backup of an older Illustrator installation, look for the color books in this directory path:
How to Download and Install Pantone Colors for Adobe Illustrator
If you encounter issues while downloading or using Pantone colors in Illustrator: : Download the extension from the Adobe Exchange Marketplace
If you have older Pantone swatches from pre-2022 versions of Illustrator, you can manually import them into the 2026 version. 1. Locate the Files
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [Version]\Presets\[Language]\Swatches\Color Books\
The official way to access the latest, up-to-date Pantone libraries is through the Pantone Connect extension for Adobe Creative Cloud. This method requires a subscription to Pantone Connect. If you open an old file and see
Return to Illustrator and go to .
The swatch will feature a small dot in the bottom-right corner of its thumbnail, indicating it is configured as a dedicated spot color channel for production.
Visit the Adobe Exchange site and click the free install button to add the plugin to your Creative Cloud account.
Downloading and integrating Pantone colors into Adobe Illustrator is a common requirement for designers, but the process has changed significantly in recent years due to Adobe’s partnership changes and the shift toward subscription-based color libraries.
Option C — Pantone Color Manager (legacy desktop app)