Glossary
Color proof
A color proof is a representation of the printed color, made on a proofing device, a contract proof system or the actual press. It is used to approve the color before the full run.
Why it matters
A screen proof cannot show how ink behaves on paper. A color proof, especially a hard proof, is the reliable reference for the client approval.
Example
The printer produces a contract proof on the specified stock, and the client approves the brand blue against it.
Sources
Reviewed November 3, 2026. Public pages can change; check the source before relying on a date or a price.