Pantone Matching System.
Universal color chip system for color accuracy.
 The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a universal color matching system that allows designers and printers to match colors accurately regardless of the printing job required. Using this method of color matching allows you to select colors for your logo using a series of pre-mixed ink color swatches (similar to paint chips at the local hardware store) using Pantone numbers (usually referred to as 3 or 4 digit number along with the PMS nomenclature ie: PMS 366). Pantone colors also have different types as colors react differently on different printing surfaces. Any Pantone number follwed by a C indicates that this color can only be matched by printing on a 'Coated' (glossy) surface. A Pantone number followed by a 'U' refers to an 'Uncoated' or matte surface. By using PMS colors in a logo, you can be assured that colors are uniform throughout all applications. These colors are referred to as Spot colors and are also an  economical way of reproducing business material such as business cards and letterheads. Pantone color swatches are usually available at your local print shop. Note: PMS colors do not necessarily have a corresponding RGB (the color system used by monitors) equivalent so careful color matching is required when converting a PMS color to a web-safe format.
Color conversion issues.
While it's true that Pantone spot colors are extremely accurate when it comes to traditional printing, there might be some issues when its comes to converting colors for web based use (RGB colors used in website design and Flash animations of your logo) or for four-color use in brochures and catalogs. Most spot colors, if approached carefully, can be matched almost exactly. Alas, certain colors will be a 'as close as possible' scenario - and even then we're talking negligible differences that only a trained eye can see. This is also true of most online discount printers who print most of their material as 4 color process 'gang runs' (they print your business card and stationery on huge sheets that you share with dozens of other jobs. 'Nit picky' color conversion with this kind of printing is generally moot anyway - due to the varying ink densities required by the different jobs you're sharing the sheet with, color accuracy tends to be spotty anyway). Gang printing of this nature is fine for quick-and-dirty printing (use it ourselves in a pinch) but not recommended if you're after exacting color standards.
Coated vs. uncoated paper stock.
If you're printing on a combination of coated (glossy) and uncoated (matte) papers - typical with 'glossy' business cards and letterheads - keep in mind that the Coated and Uncoated surfaces may shift the colors and the colors may not match exactly across your stationery. Your printer can adjust for this by using different color inks for each part of your print job, but this may increase the price of the print run.
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