Proof

A test print produced to show what the finished product will look like. These can be made in a variety of different ways and at different stages of the production process. The simplest form is a colour laser or inkjet print which can create a rough impression. It should be remembered that at this point there are still a number of stages through which the data has to pass and therefore a laser print cannot be relied upon as an accurate proofing method.

Photochemical proofing systems like cromalin have for many years been the most popular method. The colour print is produced directly from the separated films and therefore gives an accurate interpretation. Sometimes the colours can be even sharper and more vivid than can be achieved on the press and there is a danger of creating unrealistic expectations in the client.

The most accurate method is a wet proof. This involves using a special proofing press designed for very short runs and actually printing a quantity of sheets using the real stock and real inks. Of course this requires producing the films and plates, not to mention the cost of make ready which makes wet proofing a very expensive option, particularly if corrections are required. This is a bad time to start looking for typographical errors.

Increasingly popular are digital proofing systems which aim to simulate the Cromalin type proof. They are essentially very high resolution colour printers which make use of colour management techniques for their accuracy.

Whatever system you choose it is certain that proofing is a good thing which can save a lot of heartache and cost later on. Sad to say, many clients with an eye on the budget tend to regard proofing as an unnecessary expense. "There's always time for a reprint".