Glossary
Hard proof
A hard proof is a physical proof of a print job. It can be printed on the actual stock or produced by a contract proof system that simulates the press conditions.
Why it matters
A hard proof shows the colour, the paper and the finish in a way a screen cannot. It is the strongest reference for a print approval.
Example
The client approves a hard proof on the uncoated cover stock before the printer runs the full quantity.
Sources
Reviewed November 3, 2026. Public pages can change; check the source before relying on a date or a price.