Definition: A general term for a variety of options for seeing what your file will look like when printed is a proof. Printing proofs are used for checking that all text and graphics and colors come out as expected before going to press. A prepress proof uses ink jets, dyes, overlays or other methods to simulate the final printed piece. A press proof uses the printing plates and inks specified for the job.
Proofing your work comes at various stages but there are specific types of proofs created during prepress and printing that allow the designer to see if their piece will come out as intended in the final printing. Different types of printing proofs are more accurate than others but with increased accuracy comes increased costs.
Also Known As: page proof
Examples:
Some types of printing proofs include blueline, Velox, Matchprint, color laser, and inkjet. Other general types of proofs are hard proofs (printed) and soft proofs (on-screen only), galley, reader, or imposition proofs (for checking general layout, order of pages, alignment, etc.) and contract proofs - the final proof (of whatever type) that the printer relies on to print the job.
