How to Make a Proof Sheet in CS4 InDesign

Printing a proof allows you to see what the final copy of a document will look like before sending it to the printer's.

Creating a proof of your InDesign booklet is a great way to see exactly how it is going to look before printing it off. Since bookmakers often use InDesign for professional brochures and book assembly, it is crucial to know what the document will look like on paper before sending it off to a printer or printing it on high-quality paper. InDesign's Print Proof feature allows you to both view and print a final version of your document to ensure that it looks exactly the same on paper as it does on your computer screen.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe InDesign
• Printer

Instructions

1. Navigate to the "Choose View" menu, then select "Proof Setup," and choose "Custom."

2. Choose the device you will be printing the final draft with in the "Customize Proof Condition" pop-up box. For example, if you will be sending the final version off to a large-batch printer, you can call and ask what type of equipment they use so that you can simulate what the print job will look like.

3. Determine if the final printer will be printing in RGB or CMYK format, which are the two most popular color printing formats. Tell the document to simulate the color type you will be printing in for all unspecified colors by either choosing "Preserve RGB Numbers" or "Preserve CMYK Numbers." If you will be printing in black and white only, there will be no unspecified color types and you can skip this step.

4. Navigate to the "File" menu, then choose "Print." If you need to add any printers marks or crop marks, add them on the "Print Options" menu. All information about margins and paper size should be embedded in the document; if you need to override them, you can also do this in the "Print Options" menu. Click "Color Options" on the side of the "Print Dialog" box and choose "Proof" under the "Print" menu. Under the "Color Handling" menu, choose "Let InDesign Manage Color."

5. Remaining in the "Print" menu, click the "Options" button to open your printer's dialog box. Turn off any printer color overrides on your printer, then click "Print."

6. View your copy to make sure it meets your needs, it should look exactly as the document does on your screen and should meet all the document's specifications about margins, borders, and binding areas. Once you have printed the proof out, remember to turn your printer's color override options back on in the "Print" menu.

References

• Adobe InDesign CS4 Help: Print a Hard Proof