Proofing
Which Proof Do You Need?
Before a publication goes to final production, there are usually several opportunities to check that everything is looking, reading and functioning as it should.
But a proof isn't simply a smaller version of the finished job. Different proofing methods are designed to answer different questions.
Do the pages flow correctly?
Is the colour right?
Are the folds going where they should?
Does that image crossing the gutter actually line up?
Will the finished book look the way you expect?
The right proof depends on what you need to check, as well as the printing process, paper, binding and finishing involved.
At inc., we can arrange and manage different proofing options and help you decide which is appropriate for your project.
Soft proofs
A soft proof is a digital PDF proof generated through the printer's prepress workflow. You may also hear these referred to as digital proofs or digital ozalids.
Soft proofs are primarily used to check content and structure before production.
They allow you to check things such as:
Text and spelling
Page order
Pagination
Image placement
Layout
Fonts
Imposition
General file integrity
Some issues caused by incorrect transparency or font settings
Because these files have been processed through the printer's prepress system, they can also highlight technical problems that may not be obvious in the original artwork.
Soft proofs are often supplied at a lower resolution to keep file sizes manageable.
What they aren't: a reliable representation of final colour. What you see on screen can vary depending on your monitor, display settings and viewing conditions.
Epson contract proofs
A contract proof is a physical colour proof produced to provide a reference for colour reproduction before the full print run.
An Epson proofing system may be used to produce these proofs, depending on the printer and production process.
They allow you to assess colour and image reproduction on a physical sheet rather than relying solely on your screen.
Contract proofs can be particularly useful when colour accuracy is important, but they are not necessarily produced using the exact printing process, inks and paper that will be used for the final job.
Indigo printer colour proofs
An HP Indigo colour proof is another physical proofing option that can be used to assess colour and image reproduction before production.
As with other contract proofing methods, the purpose is to provide a physical colour reference and identify potential issues before committing to the full print run.
The suitability of an Indigo proof depends on the project and the final printing process, so we'll advise on the most appropriate option.
Wet proofs
A wet proof is produced using the actual printing process, inks and paper intended for the final production run.
This makes it the most accurate type of proof when you need to assess how the final combination of paper, ink and printing process will behave.
Wet proofs allow you to check:
Colour
Image reproduction
Paper
Print quality
Registration
Overall appearance
They are more expensive than other proofing methods because the actual production process needs to be set up and run.
For projects where colour, paper or image reproduction is particularly critical, a wet proof can provide valuable reassurance before the full production run.
A wet proof is sometimes referred to as a scatter proof, particularly where selected pages or sheets are produced rather than the entire publication.
Ozalid proofs
An ozalid is a physical, generally low-cost proof used primarily to check the structure and content of a publication, rather than colour.
You may also hear them called a plotter, content proof or blueline, depending on the production environment.
Ozalids are particularly useful for books because the printed sheets can be folded, trimmed and gathered to give you a physical representation of how the publication will come together.
Checking gatefolds
Gatefolds and other fold-out pages can be difficult to assess from a flat PDF.
An ozalid allows you to check:
Folding direction
Fold positions
Panel sizes
Placement within the publication
Whether important artwork or text falls across a fold
Whether the fold-out appears in the correct position
Checking the gutter
The gutter is the area towards the spine where facing pages meet.
For books, this can be particularly important when artwork crosses a spread or text sits close to the binding.
An ozalid allows you to physically assess:
Crossover images
Text near the gutter
Image alignment across a spread
Whether important content is disappearing into the binding area
Ozalids are therefore particularly useful for checking pagination, imposition, folding and physical structure before the final production stage.
What they aren't: a colour proof. They're about making sure the publication works as a physical object.
F&Gs / Running Sheets
F&Gs, or folded and gathered sections, are sometimes confused with proofs. Technically, they aren't proofs at all.
F&Gs are produced after the publication has been printed and folded, but before it has been bound.
They provide an opportunity to inspect the actual printed and folded sections before they become the finished book.
Depending on the project, F&Gs can be used to check:
Printed colour
Pagination
Folding
Section order
Gathering
Registration
Paper
Binding sequence
The overall relationship between the printed sections
For complex books, this can be a valuable final check before binding.
So, which proof do you need?
There isn't one proof that's right for every project. Here’s a summary of what each type of proof is primarily used to check.
Soft proof: Content, layout, pagination and technical issues
Epson contract proof: Physical colour reference
Indigo colour proof: Physical colour and image reproduction
Wet proof: Final colour, paper, ink and print process
Ozalid: Pagination, imposition, folding and physical structure
F&G / running sheet: Actual printed and folded sections before binding
The right choice depends on what you're printing and what you need to know before production.
A straightforward publication may only require a soft proof. A colour-critical art book printed on a specialist paper may warrant a physical colour proof or wet proof. A complex casebound book with gatefolds, inserts and multiple sections may benefit from an ozalid or F&Gs to check the physical construction.
Need help choosing?
That's where we come in.
We can advise on the appropriate proofing method for your project, taking into account the printing process, paper, binding, finishing and the things that matter most to you.
Because finding a problem before the print run is considerably easier than finding it after 500 copies have been printed.
Talk to inc. about proofing for your next print project.