Reviewing offset printer proofs is an important step when printing thousands of copies of your book. Proofing ensures that what is being printed is correct and at the quality you expect. We highly recommend taking advantage of the proofing stage during offset printing, especially for 4-color art books or anybody with high quality standards for their final product.
A common question we receive about offset printer proofs is, “Can I get a printed, bound copy of my book prior to printing the full quantity?” Unfortunately, the answer is no. The setup process for offset printing is rather intense, so it’s not cost efficient or practical for printers to offer this. There are, however, a variety of other proofing options that will provide an accurate (but not exact) representation of your final book.
Please note that not every offset printer has the same types of proofs available. There may be some proofs that are not available for certain types of projects or at particular printers. When requesting a quote, let us know what proofs you’re interested in as it can affect the cost. If you don’t see the type of proof you’re looking for, ask us and we’ll let you know if it’s an option.
Read the quick breakdown of offset proofs here.
Prepress Proofs
Prepress proofs are reviewed before the full quantity prints. We recommend making any last minute changes to the text or cover during the prepress proofing stage, as it’s more cost effective than doing it once printing has started.
PDF of the interior
Type: Digital
Reviewed: Before the full run has printed
Required or Optional
After your final files are uploaded, the printer will preflight them to ensure there are no errors that will cause printing issues. They’ll then send the preflighted PDF for a final confirmation and review before starting to print all copies.
Content proof of the interior
Type: Physical
Reviewed: Before the full run has printed
Required or Optional
Many of our clients pass on this type of proof, but it can be helpful if you’re the type of person who prefers reviewing on paper. This is a hard copy proof of the interior, but it is not color accurate, high quality, or printed on the final paper stock. It is printed to-size and is strictly to review the content of your book, not the quality of the printing.
Color contract interior proofs
Type: Physical
Reviewed: Before the full run has printed
Required or Optional
Color contract interior proofs are hard-copy, color-accurate proofs of specific interior pages of your book, printed on proofing paper (not your final paper stock). For books with color critical or low resolution images, this is a helpful proof to see. This type of proof is charged via a per-page rate, so ordering lots of pages can become expensive. Most people order between 1-10 pages to review, sometimes more if their budget allows.
Color contract cover & endsheet proofs
Type: Physical
Reviewed: Before the full run has printed
Required or Optional
This is a hard-copy, color-accurate proof of your book’s cover and printed endsheets (if applicable). Printed on proofing paper, these proofs do not typically have final lamination applied. Any special cover treatments (like spot gloss UV, debossing, or embossing) will be shown as an overlay to confirm that the placement and coverage is correct.
For projects that do not have printed covers, a PDF proof will be sent for approval instead.
Postpress Proofs
Postpress proofs are reviewed after the full quantity has printed. It is still possible to make changes at this point, however it is usually costly. Making changes at this stage also negatively affects the schedule.
F&Gs (folded & gathered signatures)
Type: Physical
Reviewed: After the full run has printed, but before books are bound
Required or Optional
After all copies of the interior are finished printing, the interior will be compiled into signatures; then the signatures will be collated in the correct order. This creates an F&G which can be sent to you for approval. This is the full interior of your book, printed on the offset machine and on the final paper stock. It’s exactly what your book will look like, however is not yet bound.
Finished covers/cases/dustjackets
Type: Physical
Reviewed: After the full run has printed, before books are bound
Required or Optional
After all copies of your cover have been printed and laminated, you can opt to see a copy for approval. It’s exactly what your cover will look like, including the application of specialty treatments, however it is not yet bound with the interior
Advances
Type: Physical
Reviewed: After books are bound, before final books ship
Required or Optional
Advances are your final bound books, sent as a final confirmation before all books are shipped to the final location. Seeing an advance copy can be useful. In the event there is a problem with the final books, the printer is better equipped to find a solution if the books are still at their facility.