Quote:
Originally Posted by publicsectorslave
The proof look immaculate and sharp and the designer signs it off without any reservations. Yet when the customer wants the job printed on an offset stock the printed results are barely acceptable. Our pressman runs set-up sheets on a variety of stocks some of which are coated and those match the proof, but the image quality severely degrades when running the job on the customer specific offset sheet.
Are we giving customers/designers false hopes by printing their job to a coated proof sheet, but instead should be printing to an offset proof paper (any paper suggestions in the Agfa family)?
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A "contract" proof is a communications tool that sets customer expectations by simulating the final presswork. (That does NOT mean that the proof should match the press nor that the press should match the proof - i.e. the dog or tail wagging argument)
If you supply, or receive, a proof that will not align with your press work (i.e. proof simulates the presswork on gloss paper but you're printing on uncoated) then it is your responsibility to advise your customers about the disconnect accordingly. It is then your duty to communicate, by whatever means are appropriate (samples, press test, educational literature, etc.) the nature of the disconnect so that the customer can make a reasonably informed decision as to whether they should proceed or not.
It does not really matter what method you choose - the important thing is that the communication occurs and that it is documented in the job history.
best, gordon p
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Quality In Print
