Synonymous to soft proofing. In the context of catalog design and creation, proofing is a process of verifying pages or spreads in a catalog for layout, design, styling, and content. Organizations go through a few cycles of proofing. Each proofing cycle has an objective depending on the type of catalog that the organization produces.

Here are a few different kinds of proofing cycles that will be supported by Apsiva in future:

A. Layout Proof
Spreads are proofed for the actual layout of products. The positioning of products is checked, and so is the presentation in a context. Table layout positioning, photography and copy positioning is also proofed. Sometimes these proofs are sketches, while in other cases it is a combination of sketches and placeholder photos or pickups. The objective of this proofing cycle depends on the kind of catalog. In some organizations a shoot list is created based on a layout proof. In other organization a layout is created by an art director, and the work of assembling a page is delegated to an assembler.

B. Content Proof
Content proofs are created once catalog pages are fully assembled with all content such as copy, photos, and layout. Spreads are proofed with content fully populated. During this proofing, comments are made by various members of the cross-functional team including merchandising, catalog managers, copy directors, art directors and in some cases even the VP of marketing.

C. Final Proof
All recommended changes and corrections are made to content and a final proof is generated. Spreads are verified for layout accuracy, presentation accuracy, content, spellings etc. During final proof, some errors might be found that are corrected and the print catalog is usually ready shortly there after to be sent to the printer for printing.