When to choose 'No Proof Required'
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- Proofs and exact reprints of a previous job.
- I have already created a press-ready PDF.
- What is a PDF proof.
- PDF proofs speed up the production time-table.
- I do not know what to do.
Exact Reprints of Previous Jobs
If you are obtaining an exact reprint of a job that AllPrinting has printed for your previously, then a proof is not really needed — we printed the job previousl;y, we will use same file that was used to create that job, so there is little reason to check something that you checked and approved on the previous job.
PDF Files
If you have created a press-ready PDF file, then there is little point in AllPrinting sending you a PDF proof of your properly supplied PDF file — we would most likely send your own file back to you as a proof.
If this is the circumstance, then you might elect to choose "No Proof required", but only choose "No Proof required" if:
- You have printed out your PDF file and checked it thoroughly for mistakes and errors — and you have checked it in detail;
- You have printed out your PDF file and had a second person check it thoroughly for mistakes and errors — and that second person has checked it in detail; and
- Your PDF file meets our printing requirements:
- You have high resolution images (at least 300dpi);
- The PDF file is in the CMYK colour gamut;
- You have converted all the fonts in the job to curves or outlines; and
- Bleeds and crop-marks have been put in the correct place (if required).
What is a PDF proof
AllPrinting uses PDF files to print the jobs we receive — PDF stands for portable document format. If you send us a file, then we will convert it to a PDF; and, a PDF proof is, quite simply, the a copy of the file that we will use to print your job.
The advantage of us sending you the actual file that we will use is simple too:
- The PDF we send you is the file that we will use to print your job. Therefore;
- You can check that there are no mistakes on the file that we will use.
Speed Up Production Time
You will normally save at least day in the production process by choosing "No Proof Required", but make sure that the file you provide conforms to our requirements (see "PDF Files" above).
Please note that Hard Copy Proofs (only available for digitally printed products) take a day or two to print, and they are sent to you by way of Australia Post. This can take another day or three to get to you. These extra days have an enormous effect, because the production time-clock will not start ticking until you approve the proof.
So, if you require a proof, and if time is short, you might be better off choosing to receive a PDF proof.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO!
If you do not understand any of the above, then request that a proof be sent to you.
What will happen is:
- AllPrinting will examine your file to see if it can be printed on a commercial press;
- AllPrinting will make any minor adjustments that need to be made so that your job will print on a commercial press; and
- AllPrinting will send you a proof so you can make sure we have not made any mistakes (and PDF proofs take only 24 hours to produce, whereas Hard Copy proofs can take three for six days to get to you).
So, if you have chosen to be given a proof, then the only question is what type of proof should you get; PDF file via E-mail, or a hard copy proof? Again, the answer is simple.
If you must have an exact colour on your job (e.g.: a precise shade of "bird-egg blue"), then ask for a hard copy proof, as hard copy proofs are the only way to see if our presses will print out your particular colour with the files you have presented to us.
If an exact colour is not vital to you job, then get a PDF proof - you will have it within one business day, and the Production Speed time clock will start ticking the moment you approve the proof.