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What will 2010 bring for contract proofing?
As I was doing my routine searches to see what new articles had been written about Monitor Proofing I came across an article written nearly one year ago on this very subject, referencing 2009.
FOLIO Magazine Virtual Proofing vs. No Proofing
It spoke of printing to the numbers as the next step to eliminating proofing, bypassing the virtual / monitor proofing process together by having the pressrooms use the latest process control called G7. Will this truly every happen?
One year later and we’re not really seeing this to be the trend, and to reiterate Kin Wah Lam’s thoughts in the article. “...Lam doesn’t consider virtual proofing to be an interim technology, but a complement to the print by numbers process.” I would add to this: “Regardless of the proofing process - whether that proof is hard-copy, virtual or the actual file with all the sign off metadata embedded - proofing is the way we communicate between printer and client.”
Having been in that world of the client and printer, I still tend to think as they do: the client in me says that the proof is more than just the color for the press to match, it’s my contract i.e “this is what that page should look like after it passes through the CTP workflow. These are the images and the fonts that I expect to be there.” The printer in me says, “as long as I match this proof it takes the responsibility off my shoulders. I’ve done my job to match the supplied proof for this job.”
If we eliminate the contract proof, or so-called “proof of intent” between client and printer and just print to the numbers, how does this change the traditional roles and responsibilities in our industry? Though we would all like to believe that we live in the precise and error-free world of computing, things are never 100% foolproof. Software changes so rapidly that we are always attempting to play catch up when it comes to technology: remember the issues with Illustrator 9.0 and transparencies? We scrambled to tell our clients not to update, to wait for Illustrator 10.0 since our CTP rips couldn’t handle the changes in the application and the settings in Illustrator 9.0 were too many to troubleshoot (or even understand…).
So if we eliminate the contract proof, whether you’re still making hard-copies, using the latest virtual/monitor technology or going on to the next venture of storing all the metadata in the source file… How do you plan on changing your workflow or your contracts to reflect the elimination of this proof of intent from the process?
Let us know what you think!
Cheryl Peters
Technical Sales Manager
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From Don Richardson at Mon, December 28, 2009
Hi Cheryl,
I was very involved in pre-press and the print process as a Process Consultant while working at RR Donnelley. Print to the numbers is a great starting point, but there are so many variables (2400) that can skew the data. Any small defect such as a slur/bad blanket/web tension changes due to baggy rolls of paper can really change the data/print, just to mention a few. I have done press ok’s running to the numbers, but it was more with a pretty picture focused account. It is fine as long as you can get your customer to buy into it, and they are happy with the reproduction. Utilization of using a monitor can help the comfort level for sure. I was involved in soft proofing as well. Customers still tend to want the paper proof, especially high end catalog customers. I have been to many of the largest high speed considered high end printers, and have found that the process is not as in control as they will tell you enough to utilize soft proofing at press side. They still struggle running to the numbers and matching a hard proof on a consistent basis. I have been brought in by many clients to help them get their process in control to help achieve the best overall match to a proof. One tool used was the harmony software to achieve the hard proof and get the densities at “the numbers”. Until all printers can get their processes in control, I am afraid this will take much longer to convert everyone to. I agree we should be quite a bit further then we are as an industry, but the clients are the ones who need convincing and drive change. Printers do not want to invest money into each press to dress them with these monitors. They then need someone to keep them working, which is another added cost, because no matter what, they will need to be maintained. These days are very tight for them as well, and they are trying to cut costs everywhere. I know this for a fact as I was the printer. With the ability of press rooms utilizing GCR to help save ink, this can change the print characteristics, but save them money. If customer can be convinced, they will push the printers to change. I worked with at least 200 -300 different clients in the industry, and most are not ready for prime time virtual color proofing at the press. All printers use different inks, blankets, etch, presses, and to keep all these variables under control is a tough process. The proofing process available today is controlled much tighter then it was just 5 years ago. I was the customer on press, and the comfort level of having that paper proof on press is very helpful. Having said that, I know this is coming, and I welcome the change, and would love to be involved in any way as a consultant with customers to help them understand that this change can be good, but everyone’s process must be in total control for it to work for many customers. This assistance can help ICS as well.
Don Richardson
From Shahid Naser at Tue, January 12, 2010
I am agree with the writer that we can’t be full free “though we would all like to believe that we live in the precise and error-free world of computing”. It is impossible to print without proofing. But we have to follow the latest proofing systems to cope with the business. In my sense eliminate proofing fully is impossible. So, whatever the process is we have to follow the easiest system.
Thanks.
Document Imaging
From vinyl banner printing at Mon, March 01, 2010
Do you know of any online printing sources for printing proof sized portraits? I will be vinyl banner printing shooting winter/holiday pictures for a small, local day care in a couple of months. I am having problems finding an online source for printing proofs.
From option software at Fri, March 05, 2010
It is impossible to print without proofing. But we have to follow the latest proofing systems to cope with the business. In my sense eliminate proofing fully is impossible.
From kaka at Tue, March 09, 2010
which is another added cost, because no matter what, they will need to be maintained. These days are very tight for them as well, and they are trying to cut costs everywhere.Santa Monica Public Relations
From Rion at Tue, March 16, 2010
Great write up of this special read. It is on my vacation reading list and I’ll probably situation the ordination on Virago when I return from Lake Tahoe this weekend
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From Doug Landon at Thu, April 29, 2010
Hi this is a great article Cheryl thank you for the valuable information
From Anuya at Thu, June 10, 2010
I have been to many of the largest high speed considered high end printers, and have found that the process is not as in control as they will tell you enough to utilize soft proofing at press side. They still struggle running to the numbers and matching a hard proof on a consistent basis. jordan II kicks
From Maurice Visser at Thu, June 17, 2010
Thanks Don for a very informative article, just the kind of info that I needed.It is true that customers want to see the paper proof. I have found that once they see that they are fully convinced of the final product.
From Gary at Tue, July 06, 2010
Eliminating proofs would be unwise in my opinion, even if it was possible. I agree that many clients see the proof as a contract. Its the closest thing they have to assurance that the job will come out right in the end.
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From ted at Sat, July 10, 2010
That was really nice. Having been in that world of the client and printer, I still tend to think as they do: the client in me says that the proof is more than just the color for the press to match, it’s my contract Underground Guitarist
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From John at Tue, August 10, 2010
I do agree that contract proofing has changed since the past 30 years .From all the information’s that I could collect I think contract proofing in short is the visible representation of what the printer promises to deliver to his customer. The developments such as laser scanning, desktop publishing and CTP have improved the quality of printing process. But when it comes to the latest trends in contract proofing it is more driven by the cost than by quality. Paper Shredding Service
From Russian Girl at Tue, August 17, 2010
for any client proof is very important. The absence of proof seems to be alerting.
From Joseph M at Mon, August 23, 2010
Great information, this blog is fantastic… hopefully proofing will continue! Pepper Spray
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From jcbrown at Wed, September 08, 2010
Nothing can be taken for granted and there are errors in the computing field. These might be few and far between, but they are unforgivable, as the need to rectify them in certain situations might be time consuming and tedious. But the foresight might be the harbinger of the next big change. As they say, success comes to those who dream; so dream on for those proofing days. It is only a matter of time!
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