The Client Proof Copy

A client proof copy is where the customer sends the printing company an image of what he expects his artwork should look like.  These can be prints sent through the post or can be emailed in a digital format as a jpeg, tiff, bmp or PDF.  Provided the computer images supplied are at least 300dpi resolution then the same file can serve also be used as the original to send to press.

Colour matching is a very difficult process and it is normal to expect the same computer files to look different on every desktop printer and computer monitor that you use to view it.  This is one of the reasons printers offer a final proof service to customers, so that there are no surprises.

Proofs
Pre-press proofs are not usually offered as a standard service, ordinarily your files will simply be checked against your client proof copy provided and proceed to print.  The system is fast and efficient. However, in some circumstances proofs are desirable and they will be able to produce proofs from your digital artwork prior to printing.
 
The main three different types of proof are as follows :

• PDF proofs; these are sent digitally via email. They are ideal for checking layout and content but are not colour accurate and so are of little use when there are issues of colour, such as matching to a House colour.
   

• Laser Proofs these are sent by post and provide something tangible to look at. Again these are not colour accurate and their use is limited to content and layout proofing.
   

• Wet proofs are an exact match to the job which will eventually be printed since they are a small run of the finished job on press. We would always recommend a small run of print (to be used as a wet proof) prior to any very large run of print