Proofing before a big print run
An error on one poster is annoying. The same error on fifty mounted panels is a reprint, a missed date and an awkward meeting.
Which proof does your job need?
Not every run needs the same level of checking. Match the proof to what could go wrong and how much it would cost to fix.
| Proof | What it shows | What it cannot show | Worth doing when |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF on screen | Layout, wording, position | True colour, scale, surface | Every job, without exception |
| Paper print at reduced size | How the whole design hangs together | Real detail at full size | A layout needs sign-off by a group |
| Full-size section on the real material | Sharpness, colour, texture | The look of the whole piece | Images are enlarged, or colour is critical |
| One finished item | Everything, including finishing and fixings | Nothing much, but it adds time and cost | A long run of identical pieces |
Tell us what level you want when you ask for a price, as it affects both the schedule and the quote.
Check in this order.
People tend to start with colour because it is easy to have an opinion about. It is better to work from the things that are most expensive to get wrong.
- Facts. Names, dates, prices, phone numbers, web addresses, legal lines.
- Quantity and versions. Is every variation there? For a set of signs, count them against your list.
- Size and shape. Do the finished dimensions match the site, and has anyone measured it recently?
- Image quality. Look closely at faces and logos, and at any area that has been enlarged.
- Colour. View it under light that is similar to the final location.
- Finishing. Are hems, eyelets, cuts and wrap lines clear of the important content?
View colour in the right place
A proof looks different by a window, under an office strip light and under warm shop spots. If you can, take it to the site. If the colour must sit beside something existing, such as a logo on a wall, hold it up next to that. Our guide to matching Pantone colours covers brand colours.
Who signs it off?
Name one person. Group approval by email chain is how a late correction gets lost, or a superseded file gets printed. That person should confirm the file name and version in writing. Keep a copy of the approved PDF and the message. If you change something after approval, even a comma, it needs a fresh sign-off.
Why a proof may not match perfectly
A proof is a very close guide, but print on a different day or a new batch of material can vary a touch. If a set must match exactly, keep it in one order, and tell us so. Before you approve any proof, run through our file check, then compare it with your original brief.
Checks before the full run.
Your questions.
Can a proof be skipped to save time?
A PDF check never should be. A material proof can be, if you accept the risk, for instance on a simple repeat job with an approved file.
Is there a charge for a proof on the real material?
It depends on the job. Ask us when you request a price, and we will show it in the quote.
Should the proof be the full size?
For most large items a full-size section is enough, usually taken from the part where detail or colour matters most.