Have you been working on a print project and are a little worried about how the final print will turn out? Learn why proofs matter.

Perhaps it’s the overall design, content, or the final color that troubles you the most? With a printing proof, you can put your mind at ease because you’ll have almost an exact copy of what the final version will look like. That way there shouldn’t be any dissatisfaction with the result. 

When a customer takes the time to go over the proof, and it’s something they approve of, they can then sign off on it. Keep reading to find out more on why proofs matter. 

Is a Printing Proof Really Necessary?

A printing proof is a useful tool that printing companies provide for their customers because it shows them exactly what they’re going to get. 

The customer will then be able to approve or decline the print work before it even reaches production and they can also ask for revisions if they see a need to. This can save a lot of time, money, and frustration for both parties involved. 

No matter how many copies you may think that you need, a lot of printing companies out there will provide proofs regardless. 

That’s because they already know that a small undetected error on a print could cost both the customer and the printing company an added expense. This is especially true when there are shipping costs involved.  

What Errors Can a Proof Detect? 

There’s certainly a lot that can go wrong when it pertains to a printing project. That’s why it’s so important that customers take the time to go over each proof to make sure there is no discrepancy between what they expect and the final result. 

A few of the snags that customers often run into, is a problem with the spacing of a text or a particular image. Another problem could be that the Pantone color may not show up exactly how the customer was hoping for, or the page itself was not cropped the right way.   

A lot of these problems can be detected right away just by the customer paying close attention during the proofing stage. This way, the printing company is able to go back and correct the problem before the rest of the copies are finalized, and the customer is then satisfied with the final outcome. 

What Print Proof Should I Ask for? 

There are several forms in which a printing proof comes in and it’s mostly up to the customer on how accurate they want them to be. There are low-resolution proofs that come from an inkjet printer along with digitally printed proofs that won’t look all that much different than the final print. 

A low-resolution proof would be fine for you if you’re mostly concerned about the layout, content, and spelling of your product. But if you want the proof to be as close to what the final print will look like because you’re concerned with color and resolution then a digitally printed proof is what you’re looking for. You’ll get about 90% accuracy with this type of proof. 

You also have the option of going with the wet proof. This is your most expensive proof but it’s the most accurate and reliable because it’s printed on the same exact material as the final print.   

Is there an Extra Charge for Printing Proofs? 

For the most part, printing companies don’t usually charge their customers extra for soft proofs. There are those that might charge you a little extra for a hard proof while some won’t cost you anything. It just depends on how detailed or complex the proof is where you run into having to pay a little extra for a hard proof. 

If you’re still not sure what kind of proof you need, it would be in your best interest to meet with your printer as early as possible. They’ll let you know what proofing method is best for you based on your expectations, answer any questions that you might have, and tell you upfront if they can meet your requests.  

As it pertains to the printing process, proofing plays a crucial part in the final outcome and whether or not the customer is completely satisfied. Simply by taking the time to go over proofs, it can save the customer time, money, and from becoming upset. So to wrap this up, proofs absolutely matter.  Now that you know why proofs matter, do you plan on seeing a proof before buying?

Need a local print shop to help you with your printing needs? Zipp Printing takes care of apparel, paper printing, promotional products, signs, and banners. Print with Zipp today!