Proofs for Desktop Publishing

A general term for a variety of options for seeing what your file will look like when printed is a proof. Proofs are used for checking that all text and graphics and colors come out as expected before going to press. 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 proofs are more accurate than others but with increased accuracy comes increased costs.

This outline attempts to organize the many different terms used to describe general and specific types of proofs. Those terms that are linked go to detailed definition pages.

KEY

• AKA means also known as, that is, another name for the same type of proof
• $ - least expensive; $$ - moderate cost; $$$ - most expensive (these are approximations)

There are two main classifications of proofs: prepress proofs and press proofs. The largest of these two classifications is the prepress proof and those are the proofs included in this outline.

1. Analog Proofs
   AKA film proofs AKA dry proofs AKA off-press proofs
   These are also known as hard proofs because they are printed on paper or other material.
   • Contact Proofs $
     Some or all of the proofs known as contact proofs may be described as photographic proofs, paper proofs, position only proofs, imposition proofs, galley proofs, readers proofs, monochrome or one-color proofs.
     • Blueline
       AKA blackprint, blueprint, brownline, brownprint, silver print, salt, Dylux (paper brand), VanDyke, diazo, dyeline, ozalid
     • Velox AKA RC Paper
     • Stat AKA Photostat
   • Color Proofs AKA Full-Color Proofs
     Also see Digital Proofs for more Color Proofs
     • Overlay Proofs AKA Progressives $$-$$$
       • Color Key
       • DuPont Cromacheck or Chromacheck
     • Laminate Proofs $$$
       de facto standard for Contract Proofs
       • Matchprint
       • DuPont Cromalin or Chromalin
       • DuPont Waterproof
       • AGFA Pressmatch
2. Digital Proofs $-$$$
   Processes include color laser, inkjet, dye sublimation, thermal wax, and other digital technologies
   • Hard Proofs
     • Continuous Tone $$
       Some brand names include DuPont Digital Waterproof, Scitex IRIS, Polaroid Dryjet
     • Halftone $$$
       Some brand names include Fujifilm FinalProof, Kodak Matchprint Digital Halftone
     • Inkjet $-$$
     • Dye-Sublimation $$
     • Thermal and Solid-Wax $
     • Digital Laminated $$
   • Soft Proofs AKA Monitor Proofs

Some of the brandnames used to describe proofs are derived from the original or most popular process or type of paper used for creating those proofs. In the graphic design community these terms have come to be used generically to refer to an entire class of proofs whether or not the actual brand name process or paper is used. It is generally best not to use the brand name reference because some terms, such as Matchprint, actually apply to several completely different types of proofs. Some of the most common brand names are listed in the outline, such as Dylux, Velox, Color Key, and Matchprint, but you may encounter other terms as well.