What does the name Proofr mean and how should I pronounce it?

The “r” in Proofr stands for “remote”. We pronounce it like “proofer”.


What is Proofr and why should I use it?

Proofr is a worldwide network of proofing partners. We deliver industry leading contract proofs anywhere in the world as fast as we possibly can.

This means you can send a verified contract quality proof to your client in selected metropolitan areas around the world within a few hours.

We aim to save you time, money, and to make your business greener. Now you don't have to put every proof you print in a tube, wait for a courier to arrive and then have a noisy and polluting jet carry it to its destination, it's as simple as clicking the mouse button a few times. If your proofer is down you can still get that important proof to its destination quickly.

With Proofr, you can leave the business of conformity, verification, local printing standards and delivery to us and our partners. So, you have more time to focus on your core business.

Proofr selects all our partners carefully, our partners are all vetted before they can join the network, proofing has to be part of their day to day business, they need a good working knowledge of GMG ColorProof 5, use GMG media and have to agree to use the workflows we issue to make sure that the standards are adhered to wherever the Proofr network operates. These workflows contain standards created by the boffins here at GMG and ensure that each and every proof that is printed using them will look identical. The workflows are also available for download to any GMG user so you can proof your file locally using the same standards that the remote Proofr will use.

All proofs are verified before they are sent anywhere, if they fail they go in the bin as we understand that your trust in our rigorous standards is vital to the success of Proofr.

Do I have to be a member of Proofr to use the service

No! Anyone can use it to send proofs, as long as you have internet access you can send proofs anywhere we have a partner.

How much does it cost to send a proof?

It really is very cheap, an A4 contract proof costs €25 plus local delivery & tax, the full list is below.

 

A4: 25€ (+delivery & taxes)

A3: 45€ (+delivery & taxes)

A2: 80€ (+delivery & taxes)


Exactly where can I send or receive a proof?

You can send or receive proofs to any country where we have a partner, the list is growing all the time and you can see which ones are available on the Proofr homepage.


What size proofs can I send?

Here are the sizes that we use for charging at the moment, to select the correct file size simply use this guide, please note that files up to A2 in size will be printed S/S, files over this size will be scaled down to A2 before printing. We will be able to accommodate larger sizes as the network expands.

  • A4: max 305mm x 216mm  
  • A3: max 423mm x 305mm  
  • A2: max 610mm x 423mm

What Printing Conditions can you proof?

We currently make simulations of the following international printing conditions:

  • GRACol 2006 Coated Commercial Sheet #
  • ISO Coated v2 (Fogra 39, European Sheetfed Offset)
  • PSO Offset LWC Improved (Fogra 45L)
  • PSO Offset Uncoated (Fogra 47L)
  • SWOP Groundwood #5
  • SWOP Publication Sheet #3

 

If you need a different ProofStandard, let us know. We might be able to help you at short notice.


Do you supply contone or half-tone proofs?

Currently, we only supply contone proofs.  


How can I guarantee that my remote proofs will match my local ones?

All our partners use the same equipment: The same high-quality paper, the same proofing software (GMG ColorProof 5), original manufacturer inks, selected modern printing devices from HP and Epson and the same proofing settings. Each one of our printers in the Proofr network will be calibrated to a master set of values issued by GMG.

The iterative nature of GMG calibration makes sure that the printers of all our partners print identical. GMG's calibration makes sure that each step of the calibration is measured and checked; we don't simply measure once and assume that everything will be fine.

Every proof is verified before it is sent out to the recipient; if it doesn't pass verification then it isn't sent – as simple as that.  


What proofing systems do you use exactly?

All our partners at proofr use the same software, printers and paper. These systems are certified by Fogra, Swop, Gracol and others to guarantee perfect proofing results.

If you want to learn more about Fogra certification, click here: http://fogracert.fogra.org.
If you need Information about Swop and Gracol certification, click here: http://www.idealliance.org/  

This is the equipment we use:

Software

  • GMG ColorProof5 (using identical proofing settings)

 

Paper

  • GMG ProofPaper semimatte 250

 

Printers

  • Epson Stylus Pro x800, x880, x900
  • HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3200
  • Canon imageprograf iPF 6350 and 8300

 

 


What stock/media do you use?

All our partners use GMG ProofPaper SemiMatte 250 paper. This high-quality paper is available worldwide, has very tight tolerances and a huge color space. It is certified by Fogra and approved by GRACol/SWOP, 3DAP and ECI.

You can find the exact specifications at: www.gmgcolor.com/english/products/proof-media/proofpaper-semimatte-250.html


What file types do you accept?

We accept PDF, JPG and Tiff files. The maximum file size is 30 MB per file. PDF files must have only one page per file. For best results, we recommend files in CMYK colorspace.  


What does the verification process involve?

GMG have taken a great amount of care and time to get certified by as many different printing bodies and organisations from around the world as they can.

Every proof that we print includes a control wedge that is measured after the proof is printed and dried. Our partners use GMG ProofControl to measure and control this wedge against pre-specified targets. So we guarantee that grey balance, primary colors and substrate and all other colors match the internationally agreed standards.  

 


Will I ever see an unverified proof?

No. We destroy proofs that fail the verification process, recalibrate the machine and start again.  


How do I make sure that I have a genuine GMG proof in my hands?

There are three easy steps to check if a proof is genuine..

1. Turn It Over

All our proofs are printed on high-quality GMG proof paper. The “gmg ProofPaper” back label gives the assurance of this quality. GMG paper is produced to extremely tight quality control tolerances. Our paper is routinely rejected at the factory if there is a deviation from the agreed white point. The paper also has a very large gamut enabling very accurate (and calibratable) renditions of RGB colour spaces, is free from optical brighteners, is dry instantly and is available on every continent in the world.

2. Check the Sticker

The proof will have a sticker on the front or back that certifies that the required standard has been met. The  Proof Control comprehensively details the qualities of the measurement that the operator has carried out for you. It will confirm that the proof has conformed to the international standards. The label will also be signed by the operator who created the proof and measured it.  If there isn't a sticker on the proof that indicates a pass then it isn't a real proofr proof and we will send another one free of charge, simply email support@proofr.com with details.

3. Read The Badge

A line of text below your image shows all the information you need to know about which profile, calibration and software were used when creating this proof. A small  badge proves that this proof was made with original GMG color profiles.


How safe are my files?

Your files are uploaded via a encripited connection to our secure server. Only the partner of your choice can access and download the data. Each or our partners has signed a non disclosure agreement: Your data will be kept secret and will be deleted after your proof was delivered.  


What about commercial confidentiality?

All our partners sign an NDA (non disclosure agreement) meaning that they treat every single job as if it's the Queen Mothers gynaecology record.


How can I pay for my proof to be delivered?

At the moment we accept payment via PayPal only.


How quickly can you deliver my proof for me?

This depends on the distance between our partner and the recipient.

We aim to have your proof delivered to any major metropolitan area in the world within four hours during the local business hours. However, if the recipient is far away from our partner, the delivery time may vary.


How will I know my proof has been delivered?

We will send you email-notifications when the proof is printed and when it is passed to the courier.  


What happens if my proof is delivered late?

Proofr is not completely fail safe. If, for example, a printer should have a hardware defect, the proof might be delivered later than expected.

In such an unlikely event, our partner will inform you as soon as possible. And we will try to find a solution for you. Maybe we can pass the order to a different partner to get it delivered in time.

If we can’t deliver the proof in time, we will refund your costs.

 


Is there a priority service?

If you have very urgent proofs, feel free to contact our partners and ask for extra-fast delivery.


Can my client pick up the proof themselves?

Yes. Some of our partners offer a pick-up service.