After you upload or mail your artwork to us, we’ll take a quick look for missing items, such as fonts or image files. We’ll also do preliminary check for bleed, proper template, etc… general things. Cost to make minor changes: free.

This softproof is preliminary to the hardcopy proof set (test disc & matchprints). It is meant to verify that all of the art files you submitted made it over OK and look correct to you. It is not meant for color matching or resolution checking (for items, we recommend you send a color matchprint to us). If the softproofs are not correct, you may resubmit art files without incurring much, if any, cost. After the softproofs are approved, any changes will result in charges for redoing the film and proofset. Cost to make changes: free to minimal, depending on nature of change and if we do it or you do.

Something that sets us apart from the others is that we provide you with a printed and replicated test disc for you to see and hear exactly what your final product will be like. Nothing like seeing and hearing the real thing before committing to a large scale replication run!

Your color matchprint/mockup and test disc sent together is called a “proofset.” The color matchprint/mockup is printed on a digital printer that is calibrated to behave similarly to the offset press. It is printed on plain laser paper (not the final stock) and is typically sent unassembled, but with the dielines printed. These items are FedEx’d to you. You need to check these carefully and e-mail us back approval to proceed to final production. There is no need to return these. Should you need to make changes at this point, the costs will involve graphics time and possibly a new proofset, if you require it.

If your schedule is rushed, other alternatives include a print-only test disc, scans of the disc or matchprint sent via e-mail, an FYI-Only viewing of the proofset (could save final product shipping costs), or bypassing the proofset altogether.

Optionally, if you have special effects or color concerns that you need to proof beyond the scope of the matchprint/mockup, we can offer a press proof. This does have some additional cost to produce, depending on the project specification. The press proof will be hand-assembled. You will want to make sure that everything that can be proofed by the matchprint/mockup has been. At this point, films have been generated so any changes would require new films to be made (at extra cost).

Our very last proofing option is a production piece. At this point, the entire project has completed manufacturing. We can send a production piece for your approval. This could save you the shipping cost for the bulk of the project if it does not meet your approval. There will be no refunds or redoes for projects in the production piece stage.