X-Rite Pantone and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) have announced a strategic partnership to advance digital color education for the apparel, footwear, soft goods, and textile industries. The collaboration, unveiled on July 23, 2026, brings industry-leading color management technology directly into FIT's academic curriculum. This initiative marks a key step in preparing textile professionals for modern, technology-driven production workflows.
A Strategic Partnership for the Textile Industry
X-Rite Pantone — the global authority in color standards and color science — is joining forces with FIT, part of the State University of New York (SUNY). FIT is recognized globally as a leader in creative education. Together, they will advance digital color capabilities within FIT's Textile Development and Marketing (TDM) department, housed in the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology.
Raj Shah, Vice President of Marketing at X-Rite Pantone, said the partnership gives future professionals the tools to align physical color standards, spectral data, and digital workflows. The collaboration reflects growing industry demand for professionals who can connect creative design with technical color production. Explore more textile industry updates on our Info Center.
Technology Donation Enhances Hands-On Learning
X-Rite Pantone will donate a complete end-to-end textile color management ecosystem to FIT's TDM department. The donation includes the latest X-Rite color measurement devices, professional color management software, and visual evaluation solutions. FIT students will use the same professional tools trusted by leading global brands.
With direct access to industry-standard equipment, students will manage color from initial inspiration through finished product delivery. Shannon Maher, dean of FIT's School of Business and Technology, said the alliance combines TDM faculty expertise with X-Rite Pantone's industry-standard color technology. This gives FIT graduates a distinct competitive advantage in the global textile market.
Digital Color Skills Drive Supply Chain Performance
As textile production continues to globalize, consistent color communication from design through production has become essential. Digital color standards accelerate product development and enable more effective collaboration between brands, mills, dye houses, and manufacturers. They help organizations maintain color consistency and reduce material waste across complex supply chains.
FIT's TDM students will learn how digital color workflows deliver measurable supply chain benefits:
- Faster time-to-market with reduced development cycles
- Improved collaboration across global supply chain partners
- Enhanced quality control and color consistency
- Support for nearshoring and global sourcing initiatives
- Less material waste through better color planning
X-Rite Pantone and FIT will also conduct joint industry research to establish more efficient, sustainable, and connected color processes. The initiative will explore digital adoption, supplier-brand collaboration, and best practices for more resilient textile supply chains. Shah noted that digital color skills play a critical role in helping brands design for achievability and bring products to market faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of the X-Rite Pantone and FIT partnership?
X-Rite Pantone and FIT have announced a strategic collaboration to advance digital color education for the apparel, footwear, soft goods, and textile industries. X-Rite Pantone will donate color measurement devices, software, and visual evaluation solutions to FIT's Textile Development and Marketing department, supporting hands-on learning for students.
What technology will FIT's TDM students access?
FIT's TDM students will receive access to a complete end-to-end textile color management ecosystem. This includes the latest X-Rite color measurement devices, professional color management software, and visual evaluation solutions — the same tools used by leading global brands.
How does digital color management benefit textile supply chains?
Digital color management enables consistent, accurate color communication across complex global supply chains. It accelerates product development, reduces material waste, strengthens supplier-brand collaboration, and helps organizations bring products to market faster with greater color consistency.
The X-Rite Pantone and FIT partnership establishes digital color literacy as a core professional competency for the next generation of apparel and textile specialists, reflecting the industry's broader shift toward digital transformation.
