Nadia Petrov
Nadia Petrov Customer Education Writer at 4OVER4.COM
Question

Why does my online proof look blurry or grainy?

Answer

Online proofs are intentionally low resolution so they load quickly for a fast visual check, which is why they can look blurry or grainy on screen. The proof resolution is not a preview of your final print quality.

  • Why it looks grainy: the proof is a lightweight, compressed image built for quick viewing.
  • The reliable check: as long as the file team did not flag your files as low resolution, your final print will look clean.
  • What actually prints: your high-resolution supplied file, not the proof image.

If you want extra reassurance, you can reject the proof and ask the file team to confirm your resolution.

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