Print Innovation Asia Issue 3 2022
42
How can I achieve c contract proofs? Proofing has changed and evolved massively in recent years. Today, various approaches are available that can be used to perfectly address different requirements. In this article, we have summarized basic knowledge about proofing and briefly present the approaches – an exciting overview of the evolution of proofing. Printed proofs are still an institution – even in today's digitalized world. They are the key to check designs, color, texts or to making a choice from different layouts of new products. They are an important part of global coordination and approval processes. For this purpose, of course, they need to be produced color-binding and in regard to particular standards. With professional proofing software, this is achieved fast and reliably. That is no secret and hasn´t changed for many years. In contrast to that, other things have changed enormously: (1) Proofing does not “just” mean to produce “flat” proofs. Today, there are huge more options! It includes (2) haptic proofing, which brings, for example, packaging proofs with varnish and embossing effects as well as mock-ups of new products to life. Haptic proofs can be experienced not just on a visual, also on a haptic level. Besides that, a brand-new technology was introduced: (3) Direct-to-substrate proofing. An amazing approach and a huge step in the development of proofing for many, many companies of the printing and packaging industries as it allows proofing on the original production substrate of each customer. And, there is much more to discover as we want to have high-quality proofs
of all the things we are printing and on which we are printing today. As a result, (4) proofs of different kinds of surfaces and materials that are commonly used in the interior design sector can be produced without ease. In this article, we are introducing the different proof approaches – an exciting overview and journey through the evolution of proofing. Classic Proofing “Traditional” proofs or “flat” proofs help in an easy and fast way to check printouts before the production starts – irrespective of the printing machine or the printing approach which is used in the real production.
Texts, graphics, and colors are checked the last time as well as the entire look and appearance. Is everything in line with the corporate design guidelines and easily legible? Therefore, proofs are a key element for agencies, printing companies, and many other players in the printing industry as well as their customers. Exhibition banners, business equipment, advertising, flyer, bottle labels, and signage are just some examples that require contracts proofs for decision making and approval processes. They still offer the best basis to visualize the print production fast, reliable, and costefficient.
