The Importance of Pre-Production Proofs in Printmaking

Reviewing a pre-production print proof together with the original of “La Luna” by Canadian artist Bronwyn Celeste.

As an artist and/or photographer, you have likely spent countless hours poring over the colour and composition of your art until it is just right. So when it comes to making prints of your original art and photography, it’s understandable that you would expect those prints to accurately reflect the original, especially if you’re happy with how your file looks before you submit it to a printer. 

Next thing you know, you get your print back and maybe the colour is off. Or part of the image that looked okay on your computer now looks pixelated and blurry. You check your file again and it looks good - so what happened? And how can you fix it?

There are a number of reasons why your prints may come out looking different than what you expected from your file (more on this below), and most custom fine art printers will work with you on adjusting your files and prints until you are happy with them. But the best way to avoid disappointment in how your prints turn out and to protect your up-front investment - especially when you are ordering multiple prints at a time - is to go through a pre-production proofing process with your printer. In this article, we’ll discuss what proofing is, why and when it’s necessary, and the different types you can choose from. 

What is a pre-production proof? 

In printmaking, a pre-production proof is a print that is produced to give the artist/photographer an opportunity to preview how their image will print on the selected media. The last thing you want is to discover your prints are wrong after you have already paid for and printed 50 of them! Proofs are generally done at a smaller size to give artists/photographers a more cost effective way of reviewing their image prior to full production.

Why is proofing necessary?

You might be thinking, “If I use the same file to print, shouldn’t I expect it to come out the same every time?”. In theory, this makes sense. But in reality, there are a number of reasons that prints can come out differently than you’d expect:

• Media: Every print media will have a different colour gamut (the range/spectrum of colours it is able to reproduce). Different finishes and coatings may also influence the way that colours look in the final print. In this way, the same image can come out looking different on different media. 

• Printers/Inks: Printers will have differences in the type of ink they use, number of inks used, etc. that will impact the colours they are able to reproduce in print. If one print shop uses one printer/set of inks and you go to a different shop, the same file can very well produce different results. 

• Printer Calibration: Over time, a printer may shift slightly in how they print whether that shows up in slight variance in colour or other inconsistencies. If a printer is not regularly and/or properly calibrated, or is calibrated differently between print shops, then prints from the same file could come out differently.  

When should I order proofs?

Now that you understand the role of proofing in printmaking, you will need to decide when proofing is necessary. Based on some of the reasons why proofing is a good idea to begin with, there are a few times when we would almost always recommend ordering a proof:

1. New Media - Let’s say you have printed on paper A before but will now be switching to paper B, potentially due to availability of media or personal preference. If you haven’t printed an image on B before, proofing is recommended for the best results.
   
   

2. New Printer/Printmaker - If it’s your first time printing with a certain printmaker, going through the proofing process will give you a good understanding of how their workflow will output your files even if printers you’ve used in the past have used the same media.
   
   

3. Concerns on File Quality/Resolution - If you have concerns about how your image will look at a certain size, perhaps because of the file size or how it was processed, then starting with a proof or test strip will help you verify before you invest in the full-size print.
   
   

4. Concerns with Colour - If you have very critical colour requirements, proofing is a tool to help ensure your desired results. There may also be some colours that cannot be reproduced on certain media or printing technologies. For example, fluorescent paints/colours are not within giclee inkjet printing and media’s colour gamuts, so proofing will allow artists/photographers to see how close/far a print can get and decide on what is acceptable as a final print. 

With that said, you don’t necessarily need to proof every single image you ever want to print/ Since many artists/photographers usually work within a particular style and/or colour palette, we find that selecting an image that represents the broader body of work is usually sufficient.

Are there different types of proofs?

Different printmakers may structure and offer their proofing processes differently. Below are some examples of the types of pre-production proofs that we offer here at Colourgenics: 

• Standard Production Proof: This is the most basic proofing option where we print a single print for the artist/photographer to review. For originals and prints with a final size smaller than 24x36, we typically print our proofs on paper sized at about 8x10. For originals and prints larger than 24x36, the proofs will be done on paper sized at about 12x18. The difference in size is because print sizing relative to the original has an impact on image/colour density and resolution, so choosing the appropriate size gives the best preview. Proofs are charged based on the number ordered.

• Reproduction Proof: Our premium proofing option for very critical colour reproduction requirements. Includes iterative proofing and reviews with the artist/photographer until the final print file is approved. Sizing is similar to our standard production proofs. Reproduction proofs are charged as a one-time fee, regardless of the number of proofs/reviews required to get the desired result.

• Test Strip: Unlike the above options where we print the full image, with a test strip, we are only printing out a section of the piece. Test strips are typically reserved for large format prints (larger than 24x36) and/or where image resolution and clarity at that size are a concern. A test strip will print a section of the image at 100% of the final size so we and the client can confirm that image clarity and sharpness are as expected. Clients can tell us which section they would like to test; otherwise, our team will select a section which will display as many of the image’s colours, textures, and fine details as possible. 

Test strips to show detail at size when printing images at enlarged size and on this media for the first time. Images shot and owned by Toronto-based photographer Brandon Olsen.

If you’re interested in learning more about our custom fine art printing and proofing services, get in touch to book an in-person consultation or submit a request form to get some details over email.