proofing

We have recently changed our proofing system and workflow at David A. Smith Printing, Inc. to increase productivity and reduce costs to the customer.

Traditionally it has been the standard in our industry for a customer to see two different proofs prior to your job to going on press. Those two proofs were analog color proofs like Matchprint, or Colorkey and an analog blueline. The purpose of the color proof was to give the customer the ability to view the colors as they would be reproduced on the press, and the purpose of the blueline was for the customer to check imposition and content. Both of these proofing devices required the printer to output film, as the film was the platform for making the proofs. The drawbacks to this process was the fact that it was labor intensive, time consuming, and upon making any changes, new film would have to be created which was itself, labor intensive, time consuming, and most importantly, costly.

We have recently added new hardware and software to automate the proofing process, reduce proof creation time, minimize costs related to changes, i.e. author’s alterations, or printer’s error and stop the eccessive waste of film we were experiencing. Now the customer will get a digital blueline. The most striking difference you will notice is the fact that the proof is no longer various shades of blue, but instead it appears in color and on press quality paper. This new blueline is made from the same .pdf file or .ps file that the film will be generated from, thus insuring the integrity of the file from design to press. The colors shown on this proof are close to the colors you will find on the finished piece off the press, however they are not to be used for critical color checking. The other proof that is available to customers is a digital color proof known as a Pictro Proof. This proof is also made from the same .pdf file or .ps file that the film will be generated from. The Pictro is to be used to check reproduction color when a truer color comparison is needed prior to going to press. If you have received a Pictro proof and you feel that this level of color proofing is not required and that the color shown on the digital blueline is acceptable, please mention this to your CSR or salesperson and in the future you will realize the cost savings of only receiving the one style of proof.

On the back of this sheet you will find some helpful hints for you to be thinking about as you view the different types of proofs which we have provided to you for your project.

Any customer that supplies us with film instead of an electronic file will still be receiving an analog blueline for a proof. Digital bluelines and Pictros will now be the standard proofs issued for all supplied electronic files.

Thank you for your time on this matter, and more importantly thank you for your continued business. Know that we appreciate your work and it is for you the customer that we continue to make these advances and innovative steps forward.

Digital Blueline

Does the front of the proof properly back up to the back of the proof?

Is the pagination correct throughout your booklet, magazine, or brochure?

Is the content complete and accurate?

Has any text or graphic shift occurred that results in the piece being different on the proof than it was on your screen?

Do the areas that you intended to be in color (either pms or process) appear in that color?

Is the fold and trim size accurate and as you intended.

Digital Color Proofs (Pictro Proof)

Are the colors represented on the proof accurate and to your liking?

Is the resolution of graphics, photos, and type high enough?

Is the content complete and accurate?



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						We have recently changed our proofing system and workflow at David A. Smith Printing, Inc. to increase productivity and reduce costs to the customer. Traditionally it has been the standard in our industry for a customer to see two different proofs prior to your job to going on press. Those two proofs were analog color proofs like Matchprint, or Colorkey and an analog blueline. The purpose of the color proof was to give the customer the ability to view the colors as they would be reproduced on the press, and the purpose of the blueline was for the customer to check imposition and content. Both of these proofing devices required the printer to output film, as the film was the platform for making the proofs. The drawbacks to this process was the fact that it was labor intensive, time consuming, and upon making any changes, new film would have to be created which was itself, labor intensive, time consuming, and most importantly, costly. We have recently added new hardware and software to automate the proofing process, reduce proof creation time, minimize costs related to changes, i.e. author’s alterations, or printer’s error and stop the eccessive waste of film we were experiencing. Now the customer will get a digital blueline. The most striking difference you will notice is the fact that the proof is no longer various shades of blue, but instead it appears in color and on press quality paper. This new blueline is made from the same .pdf file or .ps file that the film will be generated from, thus insuring the integrity of the file from design to press. The colors shown on this proof are close to the colors you will find on the finished piece off the press, however they are not to be used for critical color checking. The other proof that is available to customers is a digital color proof known as a Pictro Proof. This proof is also made from the same .pdf file or .ps file that the film will be generated from. The Pictro is to be used to check reproduction color when a truer color comparison is needed prior to going to press. If you have received a Pictro proof and you feel that this level of color proofing is not required and that the color shown on the digital blueline is acceptable, please mention this to your CSR or salesperson and in the future you will realize the cost savings of only receiving the one style of proof. On the back of this sheet you will find some helpful hints for you to be thinking about as you view the different types of proofs which we have provided to you for your project. Any customer that supplies us with film instead of an electronic file will still be receiving an analog blueline for a proof. Digital bluelines and Pictros will now be the standard proofs issued for all supplied electronic files. Thank you for your time on this matter, and more importantly thank you for your continued business. Know that we appreciate your work and it is for you the customer that we continue to make these advances and innovative steps forward. Digital Blueline Does the front of the proof properly back up to the back of the proof? Is the pagination correct throughout your booklet, magazine, or brochure? Is the content complete and accurate? Has any text or graphic shift occurred that results in the piece being different on the proof than it was on your screen? Do the areas that you intended to be in color (either pms or process) appear in that color? Is the fold and trim size accurate and as you intended. Digital Color Proofs (Pictro Proof) Are the colors represented on the proof accurate and to your liking? Is the resolution of graphics, photos, and type high enough? Is the content complete and accurate?


























			Epson 7600



			Fuji pictro