A proof is a preliminary representation of how a digital file will look like as a printed piece. It provides a close representation of how the piece will appear when printed. Proofs are created to ensure that the client and printer are in complete agreement on the desired outcome before going to press. Visualizing a completed print design project is important during the design stage, but it is essential before going to press. Proofs can provide the information a designer or client needs to be confident the completed print job will look as planned. You can use it to confirm that the correct fonts, layout,  graphics, colors, margins, and overall positioning are all in place before you give the go-ahead to your commercial printer. There are different types of printing proofs which can incorporate some or all of the attributes above. Read more in detail which of our proofing options provides the type of service you need.

Proof Details

  • The first proof may add an undetermined amount of extra time to any order
  • If you make changes and request a new proof additional time & cost will be incurred
  • Digital rendering is the only option that can be viewed before paying/placing your order
  • All other options will be sent after your placed/payed for your order
  • If you want to make changes after your proof is sent you are allowed
  • Any proofs requested after every change will be charged
  • Avoid more than 1 proof request per order to avoid delays with your order

 

No Proof - Only Instant Online Preview

The instant online preview gives customers the general sense of layout, color, size, and placement but can vary from product to product. We print what you send in most instances but at times small changes are made that make a substantial difference in the final product.


How Proofs work

After you place an order, we will send you a proof. Keep in mind that proofs in any cases add additional time to your order (not always but depends on the time of day the order is placed. Example: orders placed slightly past our cut off time will have almost 24 hours for us to generate your proof and for you to approve it VS. orders placed slightly before our cut off time which will have very little time for us to generate your proof and for you to approve it hence raising the probability of adding more time to your order, 

Once we generate your proof, we will send you a notification (email or text or both - depending on what settings you selected when placing an order). You can then log in to your online account on our website and within your order you will see the option to approve or decline your proof.

If you approve your proof, then nothing else needs to be done, your order will begin its progress throughout our production process.

If you declined your proof then you will need to describe in detail the reason of why you have declined it. If you wish to receive another proof after your decline, then another proof fee will be charged.

Digital Rendering Proof

Starting rates are $45 for first proof & $95 any additional proofs.

We send you a digital proof electronically which can be approved or declined once you log into your account. This type of proof is useful for proofing type and seeing that all the elements appear as anticipated, but it is not useful for judging color accuracy, as each monitor it is viewed on may be calibrated differently or not at all. All designers should request at least a digital rendering proof of their print jobs from the printer. Some other printing companies call this a soft proof, pdf proof or email proof but our version varies slightly in the delivery method but achieves most if not all the original intent.

Photograph of Hard Copy Printed Proof

Starting rates are $95 for first proof & $195 any additional proofs.

A hard copy printed proof is made prior to running an entire job, it is usually the first or first few pieces out of the press. A high-quality color photograph is then snapped which is color accurate. After your approval, that proof is given to the press operator who is instructed to use it for reliable color matching and to proceed to run the entire job. If your concerns are about color, this is the proof that you need to request to feel comfortable that the colors you imagined will appear on the finished product. This is not a proofing method that is commonly used throughout the industry, it is mainly used by mom & pop shops on a case by case basis but we find that it provides a lot of insight because it is almost as accurate as your monitor will display it and it is perfect for customers who are in a rush to receive a very accurate proof.

Hard Copy Proof Delivered

Starting rates are $195 for first proof & $295 any additional proofs.

Select this option only if you are not in a rush unless you are willing to pay messenger fees and additional rush fees. This option is the same as the above but rather than receiving a photograph of the final product you get your proof delivered to you via UPS ground, you may also upgrade the shipping method & speed for an additional fee. You can touch and feel the final product prior to your order going into production. A hard copy printed proof is color accurate. After your approval, that proof is given to the press operator who is instructed to use it for reliable color matching and to proceed to run the entire job. If your concerns are about color, this is the proof that you need to request to feel comfortable that the colors you imagined will appear on the finished product. This proofing method is also known in the printing industry as a press proof or hard copy proof.