There’s nothing quite like seeing your finished design come to life. Whether you’ve ordered business cards, brochures, leaflets, flyers, posters or roller banners, approving your print proof is the most important step before production begins.

Once a proof has been approved and your job goes to print, making changes can become expensive and time-consuming. That’s why taking a few extra minutes to carefully review your artwork can save both money and unnecessary delays.

At CM Print, every project is supplied with a proof before production because we want our customers to feel completely confident before printing begins. As experienced Brighton printers, we’ve also seen the same handful of mistakes appear time and time again, most of which are surprisingly easy to avoid. This guide will help you know exactly what to look for before clicking “approve.”

Don’t Rush the Process

It’s easy to become excited when your proof arrives, especially if you’re working towards a deadline. However, one of the biggest mistakes people make is approving artwork too quickly.

When you’ve been looking at the same design for days, or even weeks, your brain naturally begins to overlook small errors. Taking a short break before reviewing your proof with fresh eyes often helps you spot details you might otherwise miss.

If possible, view your proof on a larger screen rather than your phone. You’ll be able to see alignment, spacing and image quality much more clearly.

Read Every Word, Then Read It Again

Spelling mistakes remain one of the most common reasons print jobs need to be reprinted.

Rather than simply reading your content from beginning to end, try reading it backwards or one paragraph at a time. This helps your brain focus on individual words rather than automatically filling in what it expects to see.

It’s also worth asking someone else to review the proof. A colleague or friend who hasn’t seen the artwork before will often notice mistakes immediately.

Pay particular attention to:

• Company names
• Telephone numbers
• Email addresses
• Website URLs
• Postcodes
• Social media handles
• Dates and event information

A beautifully designed brochure isn’t much use if the contact details are incorrect.

Check the Layout, Not Just the Content

A proof isn’t only about checking spelling, take a step back and look at the overall design. Does everything feel balanced? Is there enough white space? Are the headings easy to follow? Does your logo sit comfortably on the page?

Sometimes moving a photograph by just a few millimetres or increasing the spacing around text can dramatically improve the finished design. Think about how someone who has never seen your business before will experience the printed piece.

Are Your Images Sharp Enough?

Images that look acceptable on a computer screen don’t always reproduce well in print. Zoom into photographs and graphics within your proof. If they appear soft or pixelated now, they’ll almost certainly look the same when printed.

Professional printing services in Brighton rely on high-resolution images, typically 300 DPI to produce crisp, vibrant results. If you’re unsure, it’s always worth asking your printer to check before production begins.

Think About Colour Expectations

One of the questions we’re asked most often at CM Print is why printed colours sometimes differ slightly from those on screen. The answer lies in the difference between RGB and CMYK colour modes.

Screens display colours using light, while printers reproduce colour using ink. As a result, certain bright or fluorescent colours may appear slightly different once printed. Professional proofing helps minimise surprises, but it’s important to understand that some variation between screen and print is perfectly normal. If colour accuracy is especially important for your brand, speak to your printer before approving the proof.

Don’t Forget the Bleed and Safe Area

You may notice crop marks or extra image around the outside of your proof; this is completely normal. The extra area is known as the bleed and ensures that colours or photographs extend fully to the edge of the finished product after trimming.

Likewise, important information should never sit too close to the edge of the page. Keeping text comfortably within the safe area helps avoid anything being trimmed during production.

Your printer will usually prepare this for you, but it’s always worth checking that no important elements are positioned too close to the edge.

Imagine the Finished Product

Before approving your proof, try to picture how the final piece will actually be used. Will someone read this brochure while standing at an exhibition? Will your flyer be displayed in a shop window? Will your business card be handed over during a networking event?

Thinking about the end user often highlights opportunities to improve readability, hierarchy or overall presentation.

Ask yourself:

• Is the most important information immediately obvious?
• Does the call to action stand out?
• Is the design consistent with your branding?
• Would this encourage you to contact the business?

These questions can help turn a good design into a great one.

Professional Printing Starts with a Great Proof

If there’s anything you’re unsure about, ask your printer before approving the proof. At CM Print, we’d always rather answer a question or make a small adjustment before production than have a customer disappointed with the finished result.

Whether it’s colour, paper stock, finishes or artwork setup, our team is always happy to explain the process and make recommendations. After all, that’s what experienced printers are here for.

Your Trusted Brighton Printers

At CM Print, we provide expert printing services in Brighton for businesses, charities and organisations throughout Sussex and across the UK. From business card printing and leaflets printing to brochure printing, roller banners, and large-format print, we combine quality printing with friendly advice and a personal service.

If you’re preparing artwork for your next project, our experienced team is always happy to check your files and answer any questions before production begins. Get in touch with CM Print today and let us help bring your next print project to life.