Press check (printing)

While errors should be corrected during the Color Proofing and proofreading stages, the main purpose of a press check is to make sure that the color on press comes as close as possible to the color proof.

Color proofs are valuable guides, but due to the inherent differences between color proofing techniques and printing itself, proofs will match the printed sheet with varying degrees of exactness.

Areas that are commonly evaluated at a press check are:[1] [2] [3] While some printing jobs are delivered as printed, most printing is usually not complete until it is converted into a "finished" product.

Post press includes various types of finish work such as trimming, embossing, foiling, die-cutting, scoring, folding and bindery.

Post press checking can include:

Gasoline ration stamps being inspected at the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C.
Herzliya Airport (Israel) Runway location and Traffic Pattern chart (left) was erroneously printed as a result of "black layer" 180° misplacement. The corrected chart is on the right.