Digital soft proofsAnnotatable PDFs delivered for on-screen review — mark changes, approve, no waiting for physical output.
Physical press proofPrinted on production equipment so what you approve is what you receive — color-critical jobs only.
Copy editsRevision rounds built into the process — copy edits, color shifts, and layout adjustments handled before press.
File checkEnsure files are print ready with a pre-press file check — correct any errors before proofing to ensure a more streamlined process.
Proof Types
Digital, Press, and In-Person Press Check
| Proof Type | When to Use It |
|---|---|
| Digital Soft Proof (PDF) | Any job for on-screen content review |
| Digital Mockup | Packaging and dimensional items — see the design assembled before print |
| Physical Press Proof | Color-critical jobs: brand campaigns, retail packaging, high-stakes signage |
| In-Person Press Check | PMS matching — attend the press run and approve color on-press as the job runs |
| Strike-Off / Sample Print | Large-format or specialty substrate jobs requiring substrate color verification |
| Revised Proof | Any job where changes were made after initial proof approval |
| Final Approval Sign-Off | Required on all jobs before press release — no job prints without it |
Process
The Proof and Approval Workflow
Pre-press file check
Bleeds, trim marks, color profiles, resolution, and font embedding corrected before proofing begins.
First proof
Digital PDF proof sent for client review with annotatable markup.
Revision rounds
Copy edits, color shifts, and layout adjustments incorporated; revised proof delivered per agreed scope.
Press proof or check
For color-critical jobs: physical press proof produced or in-person press check scheduled for PMS matching.
Press release
Written approval received — job released to production same business day.
In-Person Press Check
For brand campaigns, retail packaging, and color-critical signage, attend the press run on-site and sign off on color live as the job comes off the press. Used when ink density, substrate behavior, or PMS spot colors need to be approved on actual production output — not on a sample.
PMS Matching
Questions
Print Proofing FAQ
Is a digital proof accurate enough for color-critical work?
For most jobs, a calibrated digital proof is sufficient. For brand campaigns, retail packaging, and jobs where PMS color matching matters, we recommend a physical press proof or an in-person press check on the production run. We'll flag which type is appropriate when we quote your job.
What's the difference between a press proof and an in-person press check?
A physical press proof is printed on production equipment ahead of the run and shipped to you for approval. An in-person press check is when you attend the press run itself — used for PMS matching and other jobs where ink density and substrate behavior need to be approved live on the press, not on a sample.
How many rounds of revisions are included?
Revision rounds are defined per project scope at the start. Most standard jobs include 2–3 rounds. Additional rounds beyond scope are billed at an hourly rate. We document changes clearly at each round so nothing is missed or repeated.
What happens after I approve the proof?
Written approval — email or signed PDF — releases the job to press. The approved file moves to the production floor the same business day. No file transfer delay or vendor handoff between approval and print.
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