The printer will send you one copy of your book before the start of the main print run.
What do you do with the proof?
- The proof copy will look exactly like the finished book because the settings used by the printer will be "remembered" and the paper and card stocks will be the same.
- The author's job now is to carefully read through the book to pick up any errors of fact, poor grammar or typos. Don't rely only on your own eyes. Get several other pairs of eyes to read through for you.
- When you're confident you've caught them all, pass your corrections onto your designer, who will correct her files - and send another printer's PDF off to the printer with instructions for the print run to start.
- The designer will also be checking the proof but for different reasons. Have any fonts changed? dropped out? have the colours shifted? are some photos too dark, too light? etc.. She may pick up some textual errors in a random way but that is not her priority; it's the author's. If the designer needs to make colour or tonal changes to the book she will send fresh files to the printer.
- The author needs to see a printed proof rather than a digital proof. Print is the acid test of a book. Digital proofs are viewed on computer screens - which render colours differently unless they are colour calibrated. Digital proofs are not as reliable as printed proofs.
- Next step - delivery to your door.
