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Documentary “The King of Color” Brings the Visionary Behind Pantone to the Big Screen This December

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Premiering in theaters on December 12th, 2025, Patrick Creadon’s latest documentary turns its lens toward a figure whose influence is woven into the fabric of nearly every modern creative industry—yet whose name remains surprisingly under-recognized. The King of Color chronicles the extraordinary life and legacy of Lawrence Herbert, the inventor of the Pantone Matching System and the man responsible for bringing order to the chaotic world of color reproduction.

Now 96 years old, Herbert reflects on a lifetime of innovation in a rare, intimate interview featured throughout the film. Growing up in Depression-era Brooklyn, Herbert entered the print and manufacturing trade at a time when color selection was inconsistent and subjective—an industry-wide problem with costly consequences. His solution was nothing short of revolutionary: a comprehensive, standardized system that could translate color into a universally understood language.

The result was the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a tool that transformed design, art, branding, manufacturing, fashion, and nearly every field that relies on precise color communication. Creadon—whose previous films Wordplay and Hesburgh explored American innovators and institutions—once again uncovers the human story behind a cultural landmark. Here, Herbert’s meticulous mind and forward-thinking creativity come into sharp focus, highlighting the remarkable impact of a system so familiar today that it’s easy to forget it had to be invented.

The film is produced by Christine O'Malley, Adam L. Lawrence, and H. Nelson Tracey, whose collaboration with Creadon helps balance industry insight with personal history. The King of Color doesn’t just celebrate Herbert’s achievements; it contextualizes them, tracing how a single idea reshaped global visual communication.

A newly released clip from the documentary, titled “An Industry Problem,” showcases Herbert discussing the early challenges that sparked his innovation. Viewers can also explore promotional stills and the official poster through the provided press materials.

For designers, filmmakers, artists, and anyone who’s ever specified or matched a shade using Pantone, this documentary offers a chance to meet the man behind the spectrum. The King of Color paints a vivid portrait of a quiet pioneer whose system continues to color the world.

Watch the new clip:


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