FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about proof

The 5 most frequently asked questions:


  • At the very end of the ordering process in our shop, after you have clicked "order now for a fee", you will be shown a link to our upload area, where you can upload up to 30 files per item, each up to 420 MB in size. Most customers use this method. Your data will be available in the shop for around 1 year for inspection. If there are data errors such as RGB data, etc., you can easily delete your old data and upload new data. For us, this is the simplest way to handle your proof data.
    However, there are sometimes good reasons to choose a different method, such as very large files, complicated proxy servers, or simply the fact that you already have a WeTransfer link to the data, but don't want to download it and then upload it again.

    We are also happy to load and process your data from WeTransfer, Dropbox or a direct link to your NAS system, your FTP or your web server. You can simply send us such links or access details in the messages field during checkout. 

    We are also happy to provide customers with frequent orders their own FTP upload, where you can then upload large amounts of data.


  • We proof with the proof system with the most precise colour reproduction of the entire printer market. Thanks to our 11-colour proof system, we can proof spot colours such as Pantone and HKS better than many other service providers. In our proof software, we have stored all common colours so that spot colours can be simulated as well as possible in the digital proof.

    If our system doesn't know your colour, we can enter the colour manually. We also endeavour to provide optimal reproduction in this case. However, it is clear that colours such as Pantone 811 or silver and gold can only be represented approximately by us as well.

    The following colour systems are stored in our proof printer:
    • • HKS: HKS K, HKS N, HKS Z
    • • Pantone: Pantone C, Pantone U, Pantone Goe C, Pantone Goe U,
      Pantone M, Pantone TCX (Textile), Pantone TPX, Pantone DS
    • • Toyo
    • • DIC

    For more information on the reproducibility of PANTONE and HKS colours, please click here.
     

    For detailed information, image examples and colour deviation tables for all common PANTONE colours, please visit our blog Proof.de:

    › Can HKS colours be proofed?
    › Can Pantone colours be proofed?
    › Colour deviations of Pantone colours in the proof in Delta-E (∆E)
    › Colour deviations of Pantone Metallics and Pantone Premium Metallics colours in the proof in Delta-E (∆E)
    › Colour deviations of HKS colours in the proof in Delta-E (∆E)
     


  • We are happy to send your proofs neutrally. Please write your request for neutral shipping in the notes field during checkout. Our proofs are generally kept completely neutral and have no reference to proof.de. Your customer cannot determine who produced your proofs.
    In the case of neutral shipping, you will receive your proof invoice by email.

    We can also offer you the following: Upload your delivery note to us as an additional file with your proof data. We will then print your delivery note in black and white and include it with your order. Very practical: you order 10 pages of proofs in DIN A4, which should be sent directly to your customer.

    • Put 10 pages DIN A4 in the shopping cart and check out with customer delivery address
    • In the notes field: "Please neutral shipping, own delivery note will be uploaded" or similar
    • Upload two files: 1x "proofs" and 1x "delivery note" or something similar :-)
    • Complete the order
     


  • If, for example, we should proof all proofs 2x and then one set should be sent to you and one set to your customer, you can either place two orders or write us your request and the second delivery address in the comment field. We will then adjust the invoice to 2x shipping and include it with your shipment. Important: do not pay via Paypal or Sofort transfer, but select "invoice" as the payment method, because then the amount on the order confirmation will no longer match the final invoice amount, and Paypal would therefore request the wrong amount from you.


  • The media wedge, test report and job ticket (some lines of text with information about medium, printer, proof profile, etc.) are printed below or next to your motif. The space for this is added to your motif and does not need to be calculated by you.

 

All questions:

› General questions about proofs

› Proof standards and profiles

› Special colours, PANTONE, HKS

› Print data, upload, formats

› Order

› Shipping

 

General questions about proofs


  • A proof from Proof.de is created according to the current valid ISO standard 12647-7 and is colour-binding and legally binding with UGRA-Fogra media wedge and test report. This is confirmed to us annually by Fogra: we are currently certified three times by Fogra according to Fogra 39, 51 and 52.

    Proof.de works exclusively with Epson proof devices equipped with the latest X-Rite Spectroproofer-ILS30 measuring devices and proofs are measured and tested directly in the device after printing.

    How does it work?
    When you order a proof from proof.de with UGRA/Fogra media wedge CMYK V3.0, the media wedge with its 72 standardised colour patches is printed directly below your proof. This media wedge is then actively dried directly in the proof device and subsequently measured by a Spectroproofer measuring device. The measured values obtained are then evaluated by the proof server. If the measured colour values are within the tolerances of the ISO standard, a test report of the measurement is printed directly after the media wedge, which guarantees you colour binding and legal validity according to ISO 12647-7 (see image below). As you can see from the image below, our proofs are usually well below the limits allowed within the standard.

    The automated creation and testing of the media wedge directly in the proofer has many advantages:
    • • The measurement is automated directly after the proof print, measurement errors due to manual mishandling are excluded. Since the test report is not subsequently "glued on", as is still common, manipulation is also excluded.
    • • With the same measuring device integrated in the proofer, the proof printer calibrates itself at regular intervals and thus guarantees perfect proof results.
    • • We have the proof system with the most precise colour reproduction of the entire printer market (commissioned in 2016, software from 2017). This allows us to proof not only classical CMYK colour spaces, but also Pantone and HKS colours, which are often pale and not really close to the original. Over 99% of all Pantone colours can be reproduced by our proof system.
    •  
    Further information on the test report, the media wedge and the work and responsibility of UGRA/Fogra can be found at www.ugra.ch and www.fogra.org.
     

  • We proof on four types of paper:

    For the simulation of brightness-free photo papers (e.g. ISOCoatedV2) we use the EFI Gravure Proof Paper 4245 with 245g/qm. It feels very high-quality and is also perfect for presentations with customers.

    For the simulation of brightness-containing  photo papers (e.g. PSOcoatedV3) we use the EFI 8245 OBA with 245g/qm. In contrast to the Gravure Proof Paper, the paper white of the OBA paper is significantly brighter.

    For those who need a proof for brightness-free natural papers (e.g. PSOuncoated), we offer a proof on matt EFI 9120 XF 120g/qm paper. It is very suitable for the simulation of natural papers because it is very similar to letter paper in haptics and thickness.

    For those who need a proof for brightness-containing natural papers (e.g. PSOuncoatedV3), we offer a proof on matt EFI 8175OBA matt proof paper with 170/qm. It contains a high proportion of brightness enhancers and is therefore very similar to a modern, bright white pre-print or office paper.
     
     

    EFI 4245 Gravure Proof Paper

    		 EFI 8245 OBA Semimatt EFI 9120 XF matt EFI 8175OBA matt
    Weight: 245 gr/qm 245 gr/qm 120 gr/qm 175 gr/qm
    Thickness: 260 µ 245 µm 150 µm 230 µm
    Opacity: 96% > 95% 95 % 97%
    Gloss (Tappi 75°) 54 % (semi-gloss) 22 % (semi-matt) 6 % (matt) 5% (matt)
    L*a*b paper white 94,5 / 0,0 / -1,5 M0: 95,8 / 0,9 / -4,3
    M1: 96,0 / 1,1 / -5,6    		 96,7 / 0,2 / -2,4

    M0: 96,8 / 2,5 / -7,7
    M1: 97 / 3,0 / -10,8












     

    Further information on our certified proof papers can be found here.
     


  • Many print portals are certified as Process Standard Offset Printing (PSO) and print according to ISO 12647-2. This is the same ISO standard by which we create our proofs. Proof and print therefore work together perfectly.

    Partially, you can also have a digital proof made at online printing companies – but only as part of the actual order, not in advance. A proof in advance is not offered by, for example, Flyeralarm. Moreover, these proofs – depending on format – are also not particularly inexpensive. And for brochures, Flyeralarm.de, for example, does not offer proofs at all.

    At proof.de you can create digital proofs to show your customer the printed result in advance - and that at every stage of the design process. And once your customer has approved the proof.de proof, you can confidently send the data to flyeralarm.de or other printing portals. As long as they print according to the Process Standard Offset Printing standard, proof and print should be very close together.
     

  • In Germany there is a standard that all renowned printing companies adhere to: the Process Standard Offset Printing - PSO or the Process Standard Rotogravure - PSR for gravure printing. In these standards, certain tolerances of a printing product are defined. To be able to prove that the proof you have provided to the printer meets these standards, in the event of a dispute - i.e. in a dispute or in case of uncertainty - the media wedge is measured and the values are analysed. If the media wedge is "OK" and the measured values are within the tolerance, then the printer must also achieve these values.

    In practice it shows:
    If you proof and print an 8-page image brochure, it is usually sufficient to assemble the 8 pages on the printing sheet and on the proof together and print a media wedge after the last page. If the media wedge is provided with a test report, then it is immediately "" and therefore colour-binding and legally valid. Strictly speaking, this only applies to the last page, but from experience the printer would have difficulty proving here that the proof of page 5 is not "OK".

    Strictly speaking, a media wedge must be placed on every proof page, although the test report is not required. So if you want to be on the safe side or have had problems with the printer in the past, you should create either a media wedge or a media wedge with test report for each printed page. These media wedges are not cut off, but are printed directly with the test report and the document together on one sheet. So if you order a DIN A4 proof with media wedge and test report, your A4 document will be supplemented with the wedge and the protocol. You will therefore receive a sheet in the format 31 x 31 cm back. Your DIN A4 page format is never cut off, but the test report and the media wedge are printed next to it, thus extending the page size by these elements. In addition, a job ticket is printed that contains all important information about the proof system, profiles, rendering intents, proof software, etc.
     

  • For you to be able to assess the colour of a proof, you need a uniform light environment: Even if your agency in Hamburg and your customer in Munich have the identical proof on the table at the same time, the light at a north-facing window towards the Alster on a cloudy day is not the same as the light that prevails at exactly the same time in Munich in the sun at a south-facing window with a view of the Isar: The Munich colleague and the Hamburg colleague are talking on the phone at the same time about completely different colours.

    For colour matching, only standardised artificial light comes into question. The colour matching must take place under the same light under which the proof is also matched to the print run in offset: D50 standard light. This is light with 5,000 Kelvin light temperature and a defined, uniform spectral distribution that displays colours optimally.

    The differences between an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent tube, a halogen lamp and a daylight LED as a possible light source are enormous. Since 2009, there has also been a new light standard: ISO 3664:2009. This standard specifies what the new D50 standard light looks like, under which proofs and printed products are matched to each other. And one innovation stands out immediately in the colour matching: The new standard light contains UV components that affect the optical brighteners commonly used in offset papers. This was not previously the case.

    With our Proof.de metamerism card you can orientate yourself as to whether the light source corresponds to the standard light and whether a colour assessment is permitted.

    Interesting further links:
    An article on the issues of the new ISO 3664:2009 on Proof.de
    A good discussion on this topic can be found here.
     

  • A contract proof according to ISO 12647-7 is primarily used to simulate the colour of the later printing process. The UGRA/Fogra media wedge CMYK V3.0 is predominantly used to monitor this binding. The contract proof includes a job ticket with further information such as simulation profile, date and time and much more. To demonstrate colour binding, the media wedge is measured after printing and a test report is printed, which demonstrates that the measured values are within the tolerance of the MedienStandard printing and ISO 12647-7. If this is the case, the contract proof is considered legally binding.

    A form proof is created to check a layout or imposed form for completeness. The correct imposition of pages is also checked on the form proof. The form proof is usually printed on cheap paper and in poor quality, because it is only supposed to check the status on it. Therefore, the same data that will later be sent to the plate imagesetter are usually sent to the proof device. The form proof therefore shows the same result as the later print, albeit in significantly worse quality.

    A validation print according to ISO 12647-8 is a colour-correct print that is usually produced on a laser printer digital printing system. In contrast to a true "proof", it can be screened arbitrarily, is much noisier in the print image, especially with colour areas and gradients, and is measured with visibly higher tolerances. As a result, it is not colour-binding and legally binding like the true contract proof, but may only be used for colour matching in the printer after prior arrangement.


  • "We print on a Berberich Allegro 135gr/qm. Can you make a proof on this paper? Can you proof on our press paper?"

    The question of a proof on press paper comes up frequently in our telephone support. Unfortunately, we always have to answer the question negatively. A proof on press paper is not technically possible to this day.

    All currently Fogra-certified proof systems are based on an inkjet printer as the test printer, usually from Epson, Canon or HP. These printers are characterised by a large colour space, good resolution and excellent homogeneity and colour stability - all properties that are absolutely necessary for a proof system. The Epson systems used by the vast majority of proof printers are based on 11-colour pigment inks, which can reproduce a significantly larger colour space than, for example, ISOCoatedV2 or PSOCoatedV3. The prerequisite for this, however, is the use of special papers optimised for inkjet printing, in which the pigments and inks come into their own. Special coatings are required for this, which are optimised for optimal reproduction, quick drying, good rub resistance and high UV stability of the print. On a photo paper without these coatings, the ink would run, barely dry and not be smudge-proof. The colour space would also not be achievable. A proof would therefore not be possible from this point of view.
    Detailed information can be found in our Proof Blog at www.proof.de
     


  • The moiré effect, or in other words, a screen overlay is a common phenomenon in the viewing of prints. It occurs when two uniform patterns overlap unevenly.
    Moiré can largely not be checked in the proof.
    All common proof systems focus on colour reproduction in the proof, but not on the reproduction of typical offset screen and offset rosette. Why?
    Printing companies work with different screen frequencies and screen angles. From 54 to 80 line screen in sheet-fed offset to 32 line screen in newspaper printing, there are many screens on the market. Sometimes the screen dot is round, sometimes square, sometimes diamond-shaped. Moreover, the screen angle of CMYK and spot colours also varies from printer to printer. And some printers also print a frequency-modulated screen, which is not subject to any screen angle, but is produced quasi-chaotically by the RIP. Because of this, proof manufacturers mainly focus on the reproduction of colours, not on screens and offset rosette. Detailed information can be found in our Proof Blog at www.proof.de
     


  • Since 2010, a final examination Media Designer Digital and Print, specialisation Graphic Design and Technology, Print in the task specification of the ZFA (Central Committee of Vocational Training Printing and Media) has required a proof. As a uniform control tool, a UGRA/Fogra media wedge 2.0 is provided to the candidates on the task CD and can be placed next to the examination task in the proof.
    If you prefer to keep things simple, just order our media wedge with test report as well, it is equally recognised and may also be used.
    More detailed information on the Media Designer final examination can be found in our Proof Blog at www.proof.de
     


  • For proofs for ALDI or Hofer that must contain a verifiable GTIN code, we have developed a special process to ensure the verifiability of our proofed barcodes. We have summarised detailed information on this in an article on our blog: 

    Verifiability of GTIN codes for ALDI / Hofer in the proof 

    For the conversion to verifiable GTIN codes, we charge a flat rate of 10.00 € plus VAT per GTIN code per file. So if a barcode appears on four pages of a product package, we charge you 40.00 € in addition to the proof costs. If you need multiple proofs of the same motif, the fees for code replacement naturally only apply once. 
    With several motifs and several GTIN codes per motif, costs are incurred that often exceed the proof costs. However, the processing of the codes is a manual effort that requires time, effort and expertise. We therefore ask for your understanding. 
     

  •  

    Proof standards and profiles


    • We use all current profiles according to Process Standard Offset Printing (PSO) and Process Standard Rotogravure (PSR) of the ECI and some older - but common - proof standards.

      Specifically, these are:

      Offset printing and newspaper

      • ISO Coated v2 (ECI) / ISOCoated V2 300% (ECI) 
        Standard for glossy and matt coated photo paper
      •  
      • ISOUncoated
        Standard for uncoated white natural paper
      •  
      • PSOCoatedV3 (Fogra 51)
        The successor to ISOCoatedV2 for glossy and matt coated photo paper with moderate optical brighteners
      •  
      • PSOUncoatedV3 (Fogra52)
        The successor to PSOUncoated for uncoated, wood-free natural paper with many optical brighteners
         
      • PSO Uncoated ISO12647 (ECI) 
      • The successor to ISOUncoated
      •  
      • PSO LWC Improved (ECI) 
      • LWC paper upgraded, glossy coated, successor to ISO Web Coated
      •  
      • PSO LWC Standard (ECI) 
        LWC paper standard, glossy coated
      •  
      • ISO Web Coated 
        LWC paper standard, glossy coated
      •  
      • ISO Uncoated Yellowish
        uncoated natural paper, slightly yellowish
      •  
      • SC Paper (ECI)
        Super calendered paper, satin-finished
      •  
      • PSO SC-B Paper v3
        SC-B paper, super calendered paper, satin-finished
      •  
      • PSO MFC Paper (ECI) 
        Machine Finished Coating paper
      •  
      • PSO SNP Paper (ECI) 
        Newsprint paper
      •  
      • WAN-IFRAnewspaper 26v5
      • Newsprint paper
      •  
      • ISONewspaper 26v4 
        Newsprint paper
      •  
      • PSO Coated NPscreen ISO12647 (ECI) 
        glossy and matt coated photo paper, FM screen
      •  
      • PSO Coated 300% NPscreen ISO12647 (ECI) 
        uncoated white natural paper, FM screen
      •  
      • PSO Uncoated NPscreen ISO12647 (ECI) 
        uncoated white natural paper, FM screen
      •  
      • Improved Newsprint, INP
      • Improved newsprint 
      •  
      • PSO Coated v2 300% Glossy laminate (ECI)
      • Photo print with subsequent gloss film lamination
      •  
      • PSO Coated v2 300% Matte laminate (ECI)
      • Photo print with subsequent matte film lamination
      •  
      • eciCMYK - CMYK exchange colour space
      • FOGRA53 is a CMYK exchange colour space and serves colour communication for print production.
      •  
      • Heaven 42 (Scheufelen Paper)
      • High-white photo paper
      • Profile: Heaven42_AM_U280_K98_G80_HD.icc (Heidelberger Druck)
      •  
      • PaC.Space
        PaC.Space is the first uniform colour standard for packaging gravure printing, which enables an interface from provided prepress data to process- or print-specific adjustments.

      Gravure printing

      • LWC Plus V2 M1
        The successor to LWC Plus (PSR_LWC_PLUS_V2_PT.icc)
      • Improved LWC paper (light weight coated)
      •  
      • LWC Plus
        The successor to HWC
      •  
      • LWC Standard V2 M1
        The successor to LWC Standard
      •  
      • LWC Standard 
        LWC paper (light weight coated)
      •  
      • SC Plus V2 M1
        The successor to SC Plus
      •  
      • SC Plus
      • whiter super calandered paper
      •  
      • SC Standard V2 M1
        The successor to SC Standard
      •  
      • SC Standard
        super calandered paper
      •  
      • PSR MF V2 M1
        Web-fed gravure printing, paper type MF or INP
      •  
      • News Plus (PSRgravureMF)
        PSRgravureMF (2004) is now referred to as News Plus


      Further international profiles

      • GRACoL2006_Coated1v2
        GRACoL interpretation of ISO 12647-2, glossy and matt coated photo print
      •  
      • SWOP2006_Coated3v2
      • SWOP interpretation of ISO12647-2 for web offset printing on thin coated paper
      •  
      • SWOP2006_Coated5v2
      • Another SWOP interpretation of ISO12647-2 for web offset printing on thin coated paper, derivative of Adobe USWebCoated v2
      •  
      • JapanColor2011Coated
        The new standard of the Japan Printing Machinery Association (JPMA)
      •  
      • Japan Color 2001 Coated
        Standard of the Japan Printing Machinery Association (JPMA)
      •  
      • SWOP 2013 C3
      • CGATS21-2-CRPC5
      •  
      • GRACoL 2013 Uncoated
        CGATS21-2-CPRC3
      •  
      • GRACoL 2013
        CGATS21-2-CRPC6

      More detailed information on the offset printing proof standards, ICC profiles and the proof profiles used can be found here or on our Proof Blog at http://www.proof.de/proof/proof-profile/
       


    • We have compiled all the proof profiles available to us for download in our blog. All information about proofs and ICC profiles are available for download here:
      http://www.proof.de/proof/proof-profile/
      Further information on the profiles, downloads and exact specifications can also be found on the websites of the respective organisations, such as:
      http://www.eci.org
      http://www.wan-ifra.org
      https://www.idealliance.org
       


    • The best thing is to ask the respective printing company which standard they would recommend. In general, it can be said that many printing companies orient themselves to the colour rendition of ISO coated v2, although this is actually only intended for sheet-fed offset printing on coated paper. This would then not be colour- and legally binding for other printing processes and media, but would at least be suitable for communicating expectations to the printer.


    • Basically, it is safest to use the standard that the printer requires for their print data. Within Europe, it is often sensible to use ISO coated v2 (FOGRA 39) in case of doubt, as this is frequently used as a reference even for printing processes and media for which it is not actually intended. Beyond that, recommendations are difficult because unfortunately there are no uniform standards everywhere.


    • Proofs are standardised products that are created and tested according to a specific set of values. That is precisely the point that distinguishes them from any "colourful prints".

      For example, a traditional proof for offset printing on photo paper is produced according to the standard values of ISOCoated V2 (paper type 1 and 2, glossy and matt coated photo paper, tone value increase curves A (CMY) and B (K) from ISO 12647-2:2004) and tested according to a set of values (FOGRA39L). A proof for natural paper (e.g. PSOUncoated) is produced and tested according to completely different sets of values. This makes sense because a print on natural paper understandably looks different in terms of saturation and white value than a print on photo paper.

      A proof must therefore always be created according to a standard and be verifiable according to a reference set of values. A proof without a profile cannot unfortunately be produced, because that would be nothing other than "colourful paper from a proof system", but not a colour-binding, ISO-compliant proof. If you nevertheless need to create a proof but don't have precise information about the required profile, then in case of doubt proof ISOCoated V2. This has become the most commonly used standard in the industry and will therefore always be accepted as a base proof.

      With the introduction of the new standards, Fogra 51 and Fogra 52 are now also available in parallel to ISOCoatedV2 and PSOUncoated as new proof standards on brightness-containing proof papers. Please check with your printer whether they already print according to the new or still according to the old standards and order your proofs accordingly.

      Our Heaven42 proofs are a special case. Here we proof not an international standard, but a house standard of the Scheufelen paper mill, which simulates printing on the widespread and unusually bright white paper. These proofs are therefore not colour- and legally binding, but simulate within the tolerances the colour rendition of the colour profile issued by Scheufelen and Heidelberger Druck.
       
     

    Special colours, PANTONE, HKS


    • We proof with the proof system with the most precise colour reproduction of the entire printer market. Thanks to our 11-colour proof system, we can proof spot colours such as Pantone and HKS better than many other service providers. In our proof software, we have stored all common colours so that spot colours can be simulated as well as possible in the digital proof.

      If our system doesn't know your colour, we can enter the colour manually. We also endeavour to provide optimal reproduction in this case. However, it is clear that colours such as Pantone 811 or silver and gold can only be represented approximately by us as well.

      The following colour systems are stored in our proof printer:
      • • HKS: HKS K, HKS N, HKS Z
      • • Pantone: Pantone C, Pantone U, Pantone Goe C, Pantone Goe U,
        Pantone M, Pantone TCX (Textile), Pantone TPX, Pantone DS
      • • Toyo
      • • DIC

      For more information on the reproducibility of PANTONE and HKS colours, please click here.
       

      For detailed information, image examples and colour deviation tables for all common PANTONE colours, please visit our blog Proof.de:

      › Can HKS colours be proofed?
      › Can Pantone colours be proofed?
      › Colour deviations of Pantone colours in the proof in Delta-E (∆E)
      › Colour deviations of Pantone Metallics and Pantone Premium Metallics colours in the proof in Delta-E (∆E)
      › Colour deviations of HKS colours in the proof in Delta-E (∆E)
       


    • Pantone and HKS colours should be created as solid colours and correctly named.
      Our RIP recognises the colours by name and assigns the corresponding Lab values to the colours. It should be noted that, for example, a PANTONE 300 C (for coated paper) and a PANTONE 300 U (for uncoated paper) are assigned different Lab values. Our RIP would therefore also attempt to reproduce a spot colour for uncoated paper on a proof for coated paper.
      In printing, however, where physically mixed solid colours are used, this cannot easily be replicated. This would result in significant colour deviations between proof and print run.

      If you want to know in advance how well we can match your spot colour, please check here: https://shop.proof.de/de/info/Pantone-und-HKS-Proof.html


    • The underlying colour tone can be proofed, but there are no printers suitable for proofing that have metallic pigments. Unfortunately, it is therefore not possible to represent the metallic sheen in the proof.


    • There are currently two metallic colour guides running in parallel at PANTONE:

      PANTONE Metallics Coated: Contains the classic metallic colour tones that have been available since the late 1980s.
      • • Main base colours: PANTONE 877, 876, 875 …
      • • Typical colour names: PANTONE 8020, 8040, 8060 etc.

      PANTONE Premium Metallics Coated: The new, metallic colour guide that has existed since 2012 and shows new, finer metallic colour tones.
      • • Main base colour: PANTONE Silver 10077 C
      • • Typical colour names: PANTONE 10142, 10158, 10214 etc.

       

      The main differences between the two colour guides lie in the composition of their respective base colours: On the one hand, there is the different Pantone silver: PANTONE 877 or PANTONE Silver 10077 C. On the other hand, in PANTONE Metallics Coated the silver is supplemented by further gold base colours, whereas in PANTONE Premium Metallics Coated the newly defined silver is the only metallic base colour and is tinted with PANTONE Goe base colours.


      Detailed information on PANTONE Metallics can be found in our Proof Blog at www.proof.de
       
     

    Print data, upload, formats


    • At the very end of the ordering process in our shop, after you have clicked "order now for a fee", you will be shown a link to our upload area, where you can upload up to 30 files per item, each up to 420 MB in size. Most customers use this method. Your data will be available in the shop for around 1 year for inspection. If there are data errors such as RGB data, etc., you can easily delete your old data and upload new data. For us, this is the simplest way to handle your proof data.
      However, there are sometimes good reasons to choose a different method, such as very large files, complicated proxy servers, or simply the fact that you already have a WeTransfer link to the data, but don't want to download it and then upload it again.

      We are also happy to load and process your data from WeTransfer, Dropbox or a direct link to your NAS system, your FTP or your web server. You can simply send us such links or access details in the messages field during checkout. 

      We are also happy to provide customers with frequent orders their own FTP upload, where you can then upload large amounts of data.


    • From DIN A4 to DIN A1, we offer not only DIN formats such as DIN A4, but also a DIN A4+ format in large format. The "+" formats are each about 2.5 cm higher and wider than the respective DIN formats. This has the following background:

      We proof from rolls, and the roll sizes are usually optimally matched to the DIN formats. Our most common roll width is 61 cm, perfect for two landscape-oriented DIN A4 pages plus 3 mm page margin and 5 mm spacing in the middle between the pages. 

      If you now add crop marks and bleed, the page size grows accordingly. So if your page is 315 mm instead of 297 mm due to the crop and crop marks, then two landscape-format pages no longer fit next to each other with us. The RIP then places the pages in portrait format on the roll. We therefore have to cut away and discard about 170 mm of material. That is why we calculate the DIN formats with bleeding at a small surcharge to account for the higher material consumption.

      Formats
      A6: 105 x 148 mm
      A5: 148 x 210 mm
      A4: 210 x 297 mm
      A4+: 235 x 320 mm
      A3: 297 x 420 mm
      A3+: 320 x 445 mm
      A2: 420 x 594 mm
      A2+: 445 x 620 mm
      A1: 594 x 840 mm
      A1+: 620 x 880 mm
      70/100: 700 x 1000 mm
      A0+: 882 x 1247 mm


    • We do not scale data, add anything or leave anything out. You receive your proof exactly in the size of the data provided. If you have created crop marks in the PDF, they will also be proofed. If you haven't created any, your proof won't have any crop marks either.


    • No. We proof from rolls and not from exact DIN sheets. Your proof will usually have several millimetres of white border, but depending on the roll format, it can sometimes be several centimetres wide. We cut by hand, so the cuts are not always 100% exact.


    • The media wedge, test report and job ticket (some lines of text with information about medium, printer, proof profile, etc.) are printed below or next to your motif. The space for this is added to your motif and does not need to be calculated by you.


    • We do not require bleed or any kind of printer marks. Basically, we print 1:1 what is created in your print data. If you provide us with print data with bleed and crop marks, you will also receive a proof with bleed and crop marks. Please note that bleed and printer marks increase the format. So if you want to proof an A4 with bleed and crop marks with us, you should order A4+ instead of A4.


    • Yes. As long as the number and format of the pages in your print data match your order, it doesn't matter to us how many files these pages are distributed across. For example, combinations of a multi-page PDF and JPGs or TIFFs would also be possible.


    • As long as your print data contains exclusively CMYK colours and possibly spot colours (Pantone or HKS), it is not relevant for the proof what colour profile is embedded in the file. Our RIP simulates the ordered profile based on the existing CMYK values and Pantone or HKS colours according to Lab values stored in our RIP. However, correctly created PDF/X3 and PDF/X4 files make it possible to proof print data containing RGB colours in a colour-binding manner. For this, however, all elements must have the corresponding colour profiles embedded, and the output profile must also match the ordered profile.
       


    • When we receive a file from you, we first check whether colours other than CMYK are contained in the file. If the file is built exclusively in CMYK, it is sent directly for proofing.

      Handling of incorrect profiles in CMYK data / "profile mismatch"

      If we have received exclusively CMYK data from you, we ignore any input and output profiles contained and only use the CMYK values that we convert to the ordered output colour space.

      Example 1: Data in ISOCoated, proof ordered in ISOCoatedV2, so incorrect or no CMYK profile embedded

      You send a file with the profile ISOCoated and a colour patch in CMYK 100/70/0/0 and order a proof according to ISOCoatedV2. We ignore the ISOCoated profile and proof the pure colour value 100/70/0/0 according to ISOCoatedV2.

      Why do we do this? We try to represent the "lived reality" of printing as well as possible in our proofs. In many conversations with printers, we have seen that in almost 100% of cases they do not perform profile conversions from CMYK to CMYK, but instead apply a colour value of 100/70/0/0 to the plate without regard to CMYK profiles, load paper and print according to standard. We also reproduce this approach, even though it would actually be "more correct" to perform a colour space transfer from ISOCoated 100/70/0/0 to ISOCoatedV2. However, this results in a different colour value, for example 100/63/1/6 with relative colourimetric conversion with black point compensation or 100/63/3/15 with perceptual with black point compensation!

      Practical case: A customer of ours did not proof with us but with a colleague 30 slightly different, dark blue colour patches in ISOCoatedV2, each with the CMYK value printed in black text below it, in order to colour match a powder-coated surface. Based on the proofed colour patches, the customer defined a very good matching CMYK colour value, put it in his brochures, and started the print jobs.
      Result: The dark blue was each a significantly different blue than on the reference proof, customer and agency were very dissatisfied and went on an error search.

      Now the case came to us. We received a file for a proof according to ISOCoatedV2 and compared it with the proof of our colleague. The colours with the same black CMYK values printed below them were significantly different, both proofs but provided with a media wedge and correctly measured. After some troubleshooting, we came up with the idea of requesting the file that was originally proofed with the colleague, which also still existed. In this we found a Fogra27Coated profile, which is an implementation of the old ISOCoated. An ISOCoatedV2 proof had been ordered at the time. What happened? The colleague had taken the input profiles into account, which resulted in a significant change in the CMYK values of the colour patches through a colour space transfer from CMYK to CMYK as described above. Of course, the black printed CMYK values below the colour patches had not changed. The colour-matched CMYK value therefore no longer corresponded to the proofed value at all. Our customer fell out of his chair: "What, our CMYK values were not proofed?".

      This case would not have occurred with us because we would ignore the embedded profile for CMYK data. This would also have been our customer's expectation in this case. After about two hours, we had thus identified the "error" (or perhaps rather the "difference"), created an "expectations-compliant" proof for our customer, based on which he could determine the matching CMYK value in ISOCoatedV2, and had the problem resolved.
       


    • If we receive a PDF file containing RGB images, we check in the next step whether the file is a valid PDF/X-3 or PDF/X-4. If so, and if all input RGB profiles are correctly marked with colour space (sRGB / AdobeRGB / ECI-RGB-V2 etc.), we then check whether the correct output colour space was used as the output intent and whether any CMYK data also has the correct input profiles. If yes, we proof the file with the settings: "Consider all input and output colour spaces".

      If RGB data should not have a profile, i.e. if it is created in device-RGB, we generate a "data incorrect"-Email in which we explain our procedure as follows:

      "Dear customer,
      The data inspection revealed that your data contains RGB elements. RGB elements can only be reliably interpreted in the proof if they are marked with a colour profile and a rendering intent. This is the case, for example, with correct PDF/X-3 and PDF/X-4 data. In addition, the correct output intent must be specified. At least one of these criteria does not appear to be the case with your file.
      The safest way would therefore be to convert the RGB data contained in it to CMYK. This has the advantage that you have control over the conversion and can view the CMYK result in Acrobat once more before uploading the file for proofing again. For the proof, we can then reliably fall back on your CMYK values. To do this, open the current order in your customer account, delete the incorrect data and upload the corrected data.
      If, for example, the RGB element should only be a small image that is not relevant to the overall impression of the proof, or if you do not have another file available for the proof, we can of course also use your RGB data for the proof. If available, we will then use your RGB source profiles and rendering intents, otherwise we will use the sRGB standard and the rendering intent "elative colourimetric with black point compensation", which in most cases will lead to correct proof results.
      If you would like us to proof the provided RGB data in this way, please just let us know. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Best regards, Your Proof Team"

     

    Order


    • If we could choose how our customers pay, we would wish for the following payment methods:
      1.: Instant transfer (low fees for us, secure payment method, quick transfer to our account)
      2.: Payment on account (no fees, but despite good payment morale we sometimes have to follow up with some customers and remind them to pay)
      3.: , credit card or direct debit (all handled via and costs us noticeably higher fees than, for example, Instant Transfer)

      We send all proofs immediately, even when paying on account, even for new customers, so there is no advance payment required in our shop. We trust that our customers appreciate our services and like to use them and therefore also like to pay.

      So feel free to choose the payment method that suits you best. If it doesn't matter to you, we would prefer Instant Transfer or payment on account... :-)
       


    • When you log into our shop and select your account, you will see a list of your previous orders. You can retrieve and download the invoice directly from the list.
       


    • Whether you have the same page proofed 10 times or 10 different pages each proofed once doesn't matter to us. For example, if you put 10 pages of DIN A4 in ISOCoatedV2 in your shopping cart, you can upload a file to us that we should proof 10 times. Or a PDF with 10 different pages. Or a JPEG, two TIFFs, a ZIP file with four single-page PDFs and a PDF with three pages in it. As long as it is plausible to us that 10 pages are to be proofed, that is absolutely fine. If you want a page proofed 10 times or 5 pages twice each, then write us a short message in the notes field at checkout, otherwise we don't know for sure whether you simply forgot or overlooked pages during upload. 
       


    • For deliveries to EU countries, so-called intra-community supplies, you must provide us with your VAT identification number when placing your order. We will then issue you an invoice without German VAT. However, it is important to the German tax office that we verify your VAT identification number and document the border crossing of the shipment to your country using the tracking protocol. Only under these two conditions can we issue a VAT-free invoice.
      For and other third countries, only the border crossing needs to be proven. We do not need a VAT ID in this case, the shop automatically generates an invoice without German VAT. 
       


    • You cannot choose which paper we use for your proof with us. Which paper we use depends on which proof profile you have ordered. We use a total of 4 different papers for our proofs. One coated and one uncoated paper without optical brighteners and one with optical brighteners. Generally, we always use uncoated paper for profiles intended for uncoated paper and coated paper for profiles for coated paper.

      You can also see when we use which papers under "Proof papers".


    • If we receive an order for two pages, for example, but only one page was uploaded, we usually contact you to check whether you need the same motif multiple times or are missing print data. To avoid any potential delays, you can tell us - best via the comment field - what we should proof and how often.
       


    • Contact us as soon as possible. Best via chat or by phone at +49 (0) 7071-7952740. We can change or cancel orders afterwards, but the production of your proofs can sometimes begin immediately after the order is completed. Therefore, speed is of the essence.
       


    • The order status does not change automatically, but must be changed manually by an employee. If you have only recently uploaded new data, it is possible that no one has had time to look at the new data yet. If your data continues to be missing or faulty, we will contact you again. Either by email or by phone.


    • Contact us! Best via chat or by phone at +49 (0) 7071-7952740. Despite all our efforts, it can unfortunately still happen that the proof software has a bad day and prints incorrectly, or we, who are also only human, accidentally use the wrong workflow or fail to notice fine stripes on the proof in the rush of shipping. In such a case, we will immediately create new proofs for you and send them to you again.

     

    Shipping


    • We ship up to DIN A4+ format in a 400 gr/qm chromasulfate cardboard with tear-off flap, from DIN A3 format in a single-wall square cardboard tube, which is also equipped with a tear-off flap.

      The proofs are additionally placed in polyethylene protective sleeves. This ensures that the proofs are optimally protected during shipping against rain, moisture and climate influences. The protective sleeves are tear-resistant and water-resistant and can therefore be reused multiple times. You can easily forward the proofs to further recipients after inspection in the same protective sleeves. Polyethylene films burn without residue, without toxic fumes, gases and ash, and are groundwater neutral.

      The cardboard tube is also reusable, although the tear-off flap no longer works when forwarding.

      We only receive reports a few times a year that our packaging has been bent or damaged during shipping. Especially with the envelopes, this was a more frequent problem before the current chromasulfate cardboard solution. 

      We are happy to ship the proofs neutrally as well; please let us know this in the notes field during checkout.



    • We are happy to send your proofs neutrally. Please write your request for neutral shipping in the notes field during checkout. Our proofs are generally kept completely neutral and have no reference to proof.de. Your customer cannot determine who produced your proofs.
      In the case of neutral shipping, you will receive your proof invoice by email.

      We can also offer you the following: Upload your delivery note to us as an additional file with your proof data. We will then print your delivery note in black and white and include it with your order. Very practical: you order 10 pages of proofs in DIN A4, which should be sent directly to your customer.

      • Put 10 pages DIN A4 in the shopping cart and check out with customer delivery address
      • In the notes field: "Please neutral shipping, own delivery note will be uploaded" or similar
      • Upload two files: 1x "proofs" and 1x "delivery note" or something similar :-)
      • Complete the order
       


    • If, for example, we should proof all proofs 2x and then one set should be sent to you and one set to your customer, you can either place two orders or write us your request and the second delivery address in the comment field. We will then adjust the invoice to 2x shipping and include it with your shipment. Important: do not pay via Paypal or Instant Transfer, but select "invoice" as the payment method, because then the amount on the order confirmation will no longer match the final invoice amount, and Paypal would therefore request the wrong amount from you.


    • For parcels whose shipping label we have created via our shop software, you will receive a tracking link by email. For proofs up to A4+ maximum, we ship standard shipping as priority large letter with Deutsche Post. The tracking for this can be viewed from our side, but usually only indicates whether it has already been delivered or not. The tracking for neutrally shipped packages, DHL Express before 9 a.m. and express with Saturday delivery, can only be viewed from our side, since we generate the labels for them outside our shop software. However, if you contact us, we can find the corresponding link for you.


    • Everything that reaches us by 4 p.m. goes out the same day, provided the order is completed on time and the print data is proof-ready. If you select one of our express shipping options, the proof will reliably arrive at its destination the next working day within Germany. With standard shipping, it can sometimes take several days to be delivered, which we cannot subsequently accelerate.

      You can find more detailed information under "Shipping and delivery costs".


    • Please contact us immediately, preferably via chat or by phone at +49 (0) 7071-7952740. Despite our good packaging, it can still happen that the package and its contents are damaged in transit and the proofs arrive bent with you. Even though the delivery is no longer in our hands, we will immediately create new proofs for you and send them to you again. Please send us a picture of the bent proof and / or the bent packaging for safety and do not throw it away. Although a claim with DHL or UPS is usually unsuccessful for us, we can at least try. Thank you very much.

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