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  Ask LabelmanQuestion: Labelman, what are the different types of proofs available and what would determine which one I should be using? Answer: We offer four types of proofs, which are detailed in the following paragraphs. Your request of the appropriate proof will depend on the specific needs of the label order. BLACK & WHITE LASER PRINT As implied by its name, this proof type is printed from a desktop laser printer on standard white laser paper and provides a visual of the label copy, the label dieline, and a brief text summary of the label construction and format. While color separations are indicated, this proof is only available in black and white and, therefore, should not be used if color matching is required. COLOR INKJET PRINT Following the same format as the black & white laser print, this proof provides a visual representation of the colors, not a color “match”. Inkjet printers do vary and colors can only be illustrated by the computer’s interpretation of a PMS color by combining the four basic process colors, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Again, this proof should not be selected if any color matching is required. PDF (portable document format) The pdf is an electronic proof emailed to you for viewing and/or printing. While convenient, there are some hidden dangers in relying on a pdf as your only proof method. No two computer monitors are the same and are available in a wide variety of resolution settings; the image you see may be reduced in quality to facilitate e-mail transfer. Monitors create all of the colors you see with RGB (Red, Green and Blue) versus the conventional printing process printers employ which uses Pantone ink spot colors, custom ink matches and/or CMYK to create the printed image. Finally, your view of color is subject to the light used by your monitor (the image is typically brighter than what you will see on the printed label) and the affect of printed inks on the label substrate can’t be duplicated on a computer screen. So far we’ve described proofs that, while generally inexpensive and convenient, should be requested only when color matching is not a requirement. Please keep reading for the proof you should request for our best approximate match to the press-printed label... COLOR MATCH PROOF This proof is generated using the same software we use to output films for the final printing plates. This allows the proof to be consistent with the final printed piece. This also allows us to illustrate trapping on the proof. This proof is more accurate as it uses eight different inks to simulate the flexographic CMYK inks, as well as matching PMS colors. Although the PMS colors are a closer match than that of a four-color printer, depending on the PMS color it is still best to use a swatch or color book for exact matches. |
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