How can I get a hard copy proof of my design before placing a full order?

A hard copy proof is a physical printed sample of your exact order, produced so you can hold the finished piece and confirm color, sharpness, and file quality before the full run goes to press. It is the most reliable way to catch surprises that a screen cannot show.

• What it shows: your real artwork printed on the same stock you selected, so you see the true color and contrast rather than an on-screen approximation, feel the material and finish in hand, and catch subtle layout or trim issues a digital preview can miss.
• Best for: color-critical work, brand-matched colors, large runs where a mistake would be expensive to repeat, recurring projects where consistency matters run after run, or when a client needs to sign off on the physical piece.
• Cost: a hard copy proof runs around $75 and is added to your order before production. Pricing can change, so confirm the current fee on the product page or with support.
• How to request one: select the "Hard Copy Proof" option in the price calculator during checkout, add it to a quote, or ask support to include it, then review and approve it before the main run begins.
• Flow: the free online proof is typically reviewed first for layout and text; once you confirm it is correct, the hard copy proof is produced and shipped to you or your client, usually via UPS, and the full order only prints after you approve the physical sample.

Keep in mind a hard copy proof is printed and shipped ahead of your full order, so it adds a little time to the overall schedule. Many customers use the fast digital proof for most jobs and reserve the hard copy proof for work where the physical result has to be exactly right.