Do I need a physical Pantone swatch book?

Yes, if color accuracy matters. Monitors create color with light (RGB), which never matches how ink sits on paper, so on-screen color is only a rough preview. A printed swatch book is the dependable way to choose and approve a spot color.

• Screen vs print: RGB light and printed ink render color differently, and screens vary from one device to the next.
• Coated and uncoated pages: a proper book shows each color on both stocks, since the same ink shifts between them.
• Approval: selecting from a physical chip is the only reliable sign-off before a run.

For brand-critical work, treat the swatch book as the source of truth over any monitor.