Articles

Soft Proof, Hard Proof, and Press Test Proof

Perhaps you’ve heard of the soft proof, hard proof, and press test proof in one or the many times you availed of printing services. Publishers can choose all three options to check how their layout appears on the sample and correct anything before the printer goes into mass production. But here is how the three differ: 

 

  • SOFT PROOF. A soft proof is when your printing services provider sends you back an electronic file to double-check they got the correct artwork and remind you to double-check the details on your design after it has gone through the printer’s processing. Because soft proofs are often sent as PDFs, some people refer to this process as PDF proofing.

 

  • HARD PROOF. Hard proof is when a printer provides digital proof of your product by printing, cutting out, folding (if needed), and binding (if required) a sample to give you an idea of what the final product will look like after printing. Since hard proofs are digital prints, they are very close to the final output of digital printing requirements. But for an offset printing job, they are merely used to check the colors, layout, cuts, and bindings; they don’t necessarily represent the final look of an offset print because some printing elements vary between digital and offset printing.  

 

  • PRESS TEST PROOF. Clients concerned about the final printed material looking different than a digitally printed hard proof prefer doing press test proof to ensure the outputs look as close to their artwork as possible. If you are going on press and you’re not 100% confident with just a digital proof, which is hard proof, then you can come on site of the printing press while they are laying ink on paper for a press test proof. You can also learn about what happens during a press proof on our separate blog and video. 

 

For your printing service needs, feel free to contact Michael Duhr and our team at Foote Printing.  

Loading Form...
Most Recent

The Legacy of Foote Printing

Posted By Foote Printing
May 19, 2025 Category: Foote Printing, Printing History, Printing Solutions, Ohio Printing Services, Sustainable Printing

Discover Foote Printing’s rich history and innovative print solutions spanning over a century. Explore how our services can meet your business

Understanding Bleeds in Printing: A Critical Component for Professional Prints

Posted By Foote Printing
May 19, 2025 Category: Printing Tips, Design And Bleeds, Professional Printing, Print Design Mistakes, Foote Printing Services

Ensure flawless prints with insights on bleeds from Foote Printing. Perfect your designs with professional precision and

Choose the Right Elements for Your Business Card

Posted By Foote Printing
May 19, 2025 Category: Business Card Printing, Foote Printing, Professional Networking, Graphic Design, Print Finishes

Elevate your brand with expert business card printing services at Foote Printing. Impress with quality and stand out in professional

Categories
Foote Printing (40)
Printing (32)
Print Marketing (31)
Marketing (14)
Printing Services (13)
Graphic Design (13)
General (13)
Cleveland (12)
Printing Professionals (12)
Political Campaigns (11)
Printing Tips (10)
Ohio (10)
Northeast Ohio (9)
Print (8)
(8)
Printing Press (8)
Design (8)
Printing Company (7)
Green (6)
Business Marketing (6)
Best For Business (6)
Local (5)
High Quality Printing (5)
Political Printing (5)
Business Cards (5)
Customer Spotlight (5)
Envelopes (4)
Local Business (4)
Foote Printing Services (4)
Project (4)
Sustainability (4)
Direct Mail (4)
Union (4)
Design Services (3)
Printing Solutions (3)
Door Hangers (3)
Meet The Team (3)
Solar (3)
New Year (3)
Printing Needs (3)
Custom Printing (3)
Book Printing (3)
Our Company (3)
Professional (3)
Awards (3)
Postcards (3)
Menus (3)
Mailing Services (3)
Logo (3)
Digital Marketing (3)
Printing Materials (3)
Calendars (3)
Paper Printing (2)
Printer (2)
Printing Marketing (2)
Artificial Intelligence (2)
Mail Printing (2)
Business (2)
2022 (2)
Books (2)
Paper (2)
Campaign Success (2)
Election (2)
Print Innovation (2)
Screen Printing (2)
Shop Local (2)
Brand (2)
Design Trends (2)
Year In Review (2)
Sustainable Printing (2)
T Shirt Printing (2)
Health Care Industry (2)
History (2)
Lamination (2)
Thank You Cards (2)
Local Printing Services (2)
Bindery (2)
Offset Printing (2)
Softcover Book Printing (2)
Perfect Bound Books (2)
Newsletters (2)
Hardbound Books (2)
Pocket Folders (2)
Custom Print Solutions (2)
Professional Printing (2)
About Us (2)
Charity Outreach (1)
Tailored Printing Solutions (1)
EDDM (1)
Local Marketing (1)
Recycling (1)
Industrial Printing (1)
Artwork Guidelines (1)
High Quality Printing Sustainable Printing Printing Innovation (1)
Precise Printing Estimates (1)
Exceptional Customer Care (1)
Project Needs (1)
Eye Catching Banners (1)
Banner Design (1)
Quick Printing (1)
On Demand Printing (1)
Campaign Printing (1)
Small Runs (1)
Personalized Materials (1)
Urgent Projects (1)
Quality Craftsmanship (1)
Reliable Printing Services (1)
Custom Design (1)
Solar Powered (1)
Green Printing (1)
Visual Marketing (1)
Print Quality Assurance (1)
Adobe Indesign (1)
Graphic Media Alliance (1)
USPS Mailing Discounts (1)
Non Profit Printing (1)
City Newsletters (1)
Printing Service (1)
Office Makeover (1)
Union Political Printing (1)
Self Mailers (1)
Print Prep (1)
Design Tips (1)
The Future (1)
QR Codes (1)
Printing Trends (1)
Fast Print Turnaround (1)
Real People (1)
Logo Design (1)
Union Service (1)
Company Culture (1)
Election Printing (1)
Environmentally Friendly (1)
Top Notch Customer Service (1)
Small Business Tax Benefits (1)
Prompt Responses (1)
2025 Outlook (1)
Trade Printing (1)
Professional Networking (1)
TShirt Design (1)
Magazine (1)
Color Calibration (1)
2025 Planning (1)
Duplo Booklet Maker (1)
Printing Innovation (1)
Foil And Lamination (1)
New Years Cards (1)
Print Is Alive (1)
Services (1)
Back To School (1)
Ricoh Press (1)
Digital Printing (1)
Cost Effective Printing (1)
Business Card Printing (1)
Print Design Mistakes (1)
Accelerated Depreciation (1)
Design And Bleeds (1)
Ohio Printing Services (1)
Section 179 Tax Code (1)
Printing History (1)
Mocha Mousse (1)
School Events (1)
Berea Ohio (1)
High Quality Printing Solutions (1)
Custom Art Prints (1)
Tailored Printing Needs (1)
Trade Show Printing (1)
Pantone 2025 Color Of The Year (1)
Professional Booth Design (1)
Comprehensive Printing Solutions (1)
Brand Enhancement (1)
Custom Thank You Cards (1)
Tore Maras (1)
Flyer Design (1)
Personalized Stationery (1)
Gratitude Notes (1)
Artist Printing Services (1)
Print Local (1)
Business Flyers (1)
Printing Artworks (1)
Event Printing Services Custom Invitations Foote Printing Summer Events (1)
Print Finishes (1)
Custom Book Printing (1)
Perfect Binding Services (1)
Printing Books (1)
Deadlines (1)
Quality Print (1)
Union Printed (1)
Lakewood Ohio (1)
CMYK (1)
Professional Printing Press (1)
Campaign (1)
Cost Reduction (1)
Business Spotlight (1)
Customer (1)
Appreciation (1)
Holiday Cards (1)
Seasonal Cards (1)
Christmas (1)
Business Needs (1)
Envelope Printing (1)
Business Printing (1)
Mailbox (1)
Mailbox Marketing (1)
Saving Money (1)
Marketing Materials (1)
New Calendar (1)
Expectations (1)
Print Professionals (1)
Printing Success (1)
Large Gatherings (1)
Conferences (1)
Vertical Pocket Folders (1)
Paper Sourcing (1)
EDDM Printing (1)
Paper Quality (1)
Variable Data Printing (1)
2022 Design Trends (1)
Print Design (1)
Business Calendars (1)
AR Printing (1)
2022 Goals (1)
Bleeding (1)
Fast Printing (1)
Notepads (1)
Sell Sheets (1)
Trifold (1)
Booklets (1)
Spiral Bound (1)
Perfect Bound (1)
Die Cutting (1)
Saddle Stitch (1)
Brochure (1)
Wide Format (1)
Customer Service (1)
Printing In Color (1)
Design Trends 2021 (1)
Tips (1)
Design Help (1)
Children\'s Books (1)
Products (1)
Magnets (1)
COVID 19 (1)
Fonts (1)
Wedding Stationery (1)
PoliticalCampaigns (1)
Delivery Options (1)
Typesetting (1)
Metal Plate Printing (1)
G7 Gracol Method (1)
Direct Mail Campaign (1)
Politics (1)
Vintage (1)
Green Marketing (1)
Colors (1)
Ink (1)
Rgb (1)
Cmyk (1)
Pantone (1)
Images (1)
Tshirt (1)
Shirt (1)
Vector (1)
Non Vector (1)
Ownership (1)
Cost Effective (1)
Projects (1)
Two Color (1)
Competition (1)
Network (1)
Networking (1)
Success (1)
Bni (1)
Uncoated (1)
Silk (1)
Gloss (1)
Digital (1)
Offset (1)
Mailing (1)
Pressman (1)
Binding (1)
Direct Mail Marketing (1)
Print Material (1)
Hardbound Printing (1)
Cleveland Trade Shows (1)
Print Materials (1)
Flyers (1)
Paper Business (1)
Paper Stock (1)
Paper Weight (1)
Variable Printing (1)
Personalized Printing (1)
Sheet Fed Printing (1)
Bleeds (1)
Paper Marketing (1)
Mail (1)
Print Proof (1)
T Shirt (1)
Trends (1)
Cards (1)
Business Card Design (1)
Brochures (1)
Northeast Ohio. Ohio (1)
Business Professionals (1)
Artwork (1)
Marketing Professionals (1)
Print Checks (1)
Professionals (1)
Print Types (1)
Northeast Ohio Printing (1)
+ Show More
Loading Form...