Mike, It depends on whether you are being offered "DIGITAL Wet Proofs" or what are referred to as "Press Proofs", "Wet Proofs", or just "Wet Proofing". The distinction is that traditional PRESS wet proofs are made on a flatbed 2/Color or 4/Color press. Depending on the type (newness) of press, they could be using a state of the art machine with automatic inking control system. The only "hand-made" aspect of these proofs is that the paper is hand fed. The paper does not move but rather the plate/blanket/inking moves over the paper. These are the closest thing to what you can expect on your final press run, especially with the latest addition of automatic inking on these presses. Alternatively, there are also what are now called "Digital Wet Proofs". These are usually printed on a very high quality digital proofing system, like the HP Indigo 5500 Press. Different from the first generation of digital presses, these can now print on the same paper that will be used in the production run (or something very similar), both coated and uncoated, and even some specialty media. The proofs are very accurate and detailed color (LAB) reports can be produced for each print job. These new generation of digital presses can offer stunning offset or photographic quality. I am a printing broker and work very closely with printers and pre-press companies in China and Korea. I use both successfully. If I'm trying to match PMS colors, then of course I would use press proofing so that I can use the exact ink color. But for 99% of my 4/Color commercial jobs, the digital wet proofs are perfectly acceptable, and even digital proofs are fine for less demanding work (like using a GMG DotProof color system and Epson StylusPro 9910 inkjet, for example). These too can simulate individual tone and reproduction curves and dot gains for a wide variety of production presses. Good luck, Bob Rock -----Original Message----- From: colorsync-users-bounces+rock=pchaninc.com@lists.apple.com [mailto:colorsync-users-bounces+rock=pchaninc.com@lists.apple.com] On Behalf Of Mike Stewart Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 2:31 PM To: colorsync-users@lists.apple.com Subject: Wet Proofs Hello All: I am asking for info on "Wet Proofs". I know that in Asia they are produced on hand presses using plates (not the same plates that will be run on press) and use standard inks and the actual paper your job will be run on. How accurate are these proofs to a specific print specification (Ex: Fogra 47)? Is there an easy way to tell a Wet Proof from a press sheet? I'm guessing that if the stock adheres to the print specification then there is a chance that the Wet Proof could as well. I suppose we could ask for an IT8 or control strip to read and analyse from the Wet proof. How are Wet Proofs actually made? The definition of a Wet Proof changes depending on the article you read. Any thoughts? Thanks Mike Stewart _______________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored. Colorsync-users mailing list (Colorsync-users@lists.apple.com) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: https://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/colorsync-users/rock%40pchaninc.com This email sent to rock@pchaninc.com