When you send a job to a printer, you’ll always receive a proof to review. It is your time to take one last look to make sure that it’s exactly what you envisioned. Based on the thousands of proofs we have produced, we feel we can be regarded as experts in this topic, and therefore, wanted to provide a few quick tips when reviewing your next print proof.

Suttle-Straus provides two main types of physical or “hard” proofs – one is for “form,” and the other is for “content”:

• The folding proof, or “dylux,” is meant to be an accurate simulation of the form of the job – the size, folds, pages and finishing are meant to be as close as possible to the finished form of the job. Since these proofs are imaged via an inkjet printer, their resolution is low. Type elements and some graphic details will be less legible and colors are not 100% accurate.
• Color, or “Epson,” proofs are meant to be higher resolution and simulate the actual images, content and color of the job. These are printed on special paper by a dedicated imaging device and are not easily trimmed and folded into the final form of the job.

Between these two types of proofs, you have the opportunity to review almost every aspect of the finished product. So, what should you look for?

• Sizes – Is the final trim size correct? Are the panels of a folded piece accurate?
• Pages – Is the page count correct? Are they numbered in the correct order?
• Trims – Does every page bleed? Is copy or art getting trimmed off? In die-cut situations, is the die positioned properly? If there are any read-across situations (where type or images go across two pages) this should be checked on the dylux.
• Content – This is your last opportunity to proofread the copy and check if all images are placed correctly, so review as carefully as possible. Any alterations you may have instructed us to make to the files should be checked as well.
• Color – Do the color images look as they should? Are color elements rendered accurately? Our presses are calibrated to match our color proofs, and our pressmen are focused on hitting those proofs as accurately as possible.

If anything is not as you expected, corrections or alterations should be noted on the proof and discussed with your sales rep or customer service rep prior to the job going to press. If you are going to provide a new file, that information should be noted on the proof as well.

Every proof has a “proof slip” that needs to be signed before moving forward. You also have the opportunity to note any corrections on there. We have safeguards in place at every stage of production that prevent a print component from proceeding until we are sure our customers have reviewed and approved their proofs.

We take proofing very seriously. It is a crucial step in the production process. It is the moment where we pause and allow our customers to review and make sure we have properly executed their instructions before both parties commit to production.