Proofing is the all-important process of checking the content and colour of your job before going to the press.

Proofs should be viewed as if they are the finished printed product, once the job reaches the press and then mistakes are spotted the practice of correcting these can be an expensive process.
It is possible that files output through different computers can cause text to reflow, so it is always worth checking for this also.

There are a number of proofing options available to you, with the introduction of CTP however, digital proofing is by far the most cost effective and appropriate. It should be noted however that the digital proofing process creates all it's colours from CMYK and therefore it can be difficult to obtain an exact proofing match for a PMS colour.

Printlink offers you the following proofing choices:

Low Resolution Sherpa Proof

An imposed, digital, wide format, 360dpi low resolution proof used for checking the content of a job. If there are no changes and the proof is signed off the data used to produce the proof is then imaged by the laser, with no re-rendering, to produce the 2400dpi high resolution to plate.

Low-resolution proofs will give you an accurate indication of exactly what goes where but is not used to give an exact replication for colour, however colours will be run on the press to preset process standards as will PMS colour standards.

Hi Resolution Sherpa Proof

This is a 720dpi, high resolution imposed digital proof and is great to use a guide for colour and as an accurate indication of exactly what goes where. Although the colour in a high resolution proof is a far more accurate guide than that produced by a low resolution proof, if exact colour replication at the proofing stage is critical (such as for colour correction) then you may wish to consider a Hi Resolution Direct to Sherpa Proof or a scatter proof of images.
If there are no changes and the proof is signed off the data used to produce the proof is then imaged by the laser, with no re-rendering, to produce the 2400dpi high resolution to plate.

Hi Resolution Direct To Sherpa Proof - Scatter Proof

We can also produce a 720dpi, high resolution imposed digital proof which is run through our ColourTune colour management software and gives a superb indication of what can be reproduced on our presses.

This process is excellent for scatter proofing images and high quality print jobs but is specifically for colour only, as with all current industry high resolution proofing devices a level of reripping is always required when outputting to plate. A 360dpi low resolution proof for content would be output also.

Laser Proof

A toner based digital proofing system, produced in A4 and A3 format. Suitable for checking file compatibility between your system and ours. If files are perceived as having potential problems, the first step is to generally to produce lasers for client checking before imposing proofs for sherpa output.