Can I easily match Pantone colors using Illustrator?

hi all,

i run small invitation supply company.

our primary design tool until has been photoshop elements.

we purchased $6000 printer xerox 'gold standard' graphic arts , pantone approved.

we have pantone color bridge. when print color using hex code, color looks nothing pantone swatch.

i contacted xerox , told me because elements has low degree of color management never able color match our pantone swatches , aren't surprised color way off.

i suppose naively figured spending $6000 on printer easy , flawless color matching. xerox says- not so.

they suggested investing in illustrator , convinced more point want. want able pick color pantone deck, enter code, , feel confident print come out 100% corresponding color.

am living pipe dream?

 

i feedback before proceeding.

on top of financial investment, there lot of time partner , have spend learning illustrator.

any input great.

 

thanks,

aaron

bear in mind many spot colours (such in pantone range) beyond cmyk gamut.

that is, cannot reproduced using process colours. example, bright yellowish greens such pantone 375 c cannot matched mixture of cyan , yellow. if have printed pantone process colour imaging guide shows spot colours alongside cmyk equivalents, can see immediatelu colours reproduce reasonably accurately on cmyk printer.

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