This guide shows how to check colour on a PDF proof in GoProof, and where an on-screen check stops being enough.
In the proof editor, open Colour management from the left-hand sidebar. It shows the name of the colour profile the proof carries. If the profile is not the one your printer expects, raise it now.
Choose Check colour output. GoProof generates a separation view of the proof on the server. You can look at all plates together or pick a single plate. Looking at the black plate alone, for example, shows whether small text is built from black only or from several inks.
Simulate overprint if you want to see how overlapping objects will combine on press.
Choose Analyse colours and move the cursor over the artwork. GoProof shows the CMYK percentages and the total ink at that point. Use it on brand colours, large flat areas, gradients and anything near the edge of the sheet.
The Ink Coverage Report summarises ink use for the proof. Very high total ink can cause slow drying, set-off and mottled solids, so compare the figures with the limit your printer works to.
While you are in the same view, use the measure tool to confirm page size and resolution. The Codes tool scans the page for QR codes and barcodes and lets you open or copy what it finds, which catches a wrong link before it is printed 10,000 times. Selecting text also shows the font used where the PDF provides it.
Mark up the exact area and write what needs to change, for example the target CMYK values or the plate that is wrong. That gives the designer a clear fix and a record of why it was changed.
A screen shows an approximation of print. Paper, press conditions and screen calibration all change the result. For colour-critical work, such as brand colours on packaging, treat the on-screen check as a way to find mistakes early and still approve a physical or contract proof before the run. Our guide to colour matching for print packaging covers that stage.
Smarter Proofing. Faster Approvals. GoProof.
How do I check colours on a PDF proof before printing?
Open the proof, switch on colour output checking to see each ink plate, sample points with the colour analyser to read CMYK values and total ink, and review the ink coverage report. In GoProof these tools sit in the left sidebar of the proof editor.
What is total ink coverage and why does it matter?
Total ink coverage is the combined percentage of cyan, magenta, yellow and black at a point. Very high values can cause slow drying and set-off, so printers set a maximum. Check yours against the limit your printer gives you.
Can I see spot colours on a digital proof?
Yes. The separation view in GoProof shows spot colours as their own plates alongside cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Is an on-screen colour check the same as a contract proof?
No. A screen is an approximation of print. Use it to catch errors early and approve a physical or contract proof when colour accuracy is critical.
