Proof Card A proof card is any card, created by a card manufacturer, used to test and compare designs, photos, cardstock, new technology, colors, and overall appearance. True proof cards are not created for release to the general public, but are intended to be used in-house by the card manufacturer.
Printers (Press) Proof A printers proof card is printed to resemble how the actual product will appear to consumers. This type of proof is printed on cardstock similar to that of the regular print run, and will usually contain the same graphics (though changes are sometimes made during a later stage, creating an "unissued proof" in the process). Printers proofs will often contain print on just one side of the card, leaving the other side blank. Anywhere from four to ten printers proofs usually exist for any given Topps card from the 1960s - 1980s.
Color Key (Laminate, Acetate, Overlay) Proof This type of proof is usually created by placing four clear acetate sheets over a sheet of white, blank cardstock. Each laminate or acetate sheet contains a basic color (magenta, cyan, yellow, or black) used to create the image on the card. Color key proof cards look very similar to "regular" cards when all four laminate sheets are aligned properly on top of the cardstock. This type of proof was often the first specimen created of a card, and only one example of this type of proof usually exists for a card.
Slick Proof Slick proofs are created using a thin, plastic-like, white type of paper. This kind of paper displays the various colors of ink very well, and usually results in a striking, colorful representation of what the issued cards will look like. Slick proofs are usually created using all four colors, rather than combinations of colors (see the progressive proof definition below). Only one example of this type of proof normally exists for a card.
Progressive Proof Four basic colors are used to create a typical card - magenta (red), cyan (blue), yellow, and black. A progressive proof is created by using one, two, or three of these colors on a card (if all four colors are used, it is not a progressive proof card). A progressive proof card allows printers the chance to analyze color balances, and make the appropriate changes before the card is mass-produced. Progressive proof cards are usually unique, with no more than one of any special color combination being produced.
Blue Line Proof A blue line proof card is created during the final stages of production. This type of proof is a copy of the actual negative that will be used to create the mass-produced card. It is used to verify the accuracy of major details such as alignment and clarity. Errors such as inaccurate text or incorrect photos should be corrected before a blue line proof is printed. Proofs of this kind are not multi-colored; the graphics are displayed in varying shades of blue only.
Four-Color Film Positive Proof Each of the four primary colors used to create a card (magenta, cyan, yellow, and black) will have its own film positive proof. This kind of proof will appear black and white, even if the represented color is magenta, cyan, or yellow. Non-printing areas will show as clear (white). This type of proof is very useful to help recognize areas of the card that are lacking shades of the color in question. This kind of Topps proof is often found for cards issued in the late 1970s.
Unissued Proof A proof card that was created for consideration in a set, but was changed in some way before the actual product was issued (assuming the product was issued at all). An unissued proof may result from changes to the card photo, such as a cropping difference, reversed photo, or completely different photo altogether. An unissued proof may list a player with his former team, while the actual issued card includes the updated team. Yet another type of unissued proof includes variations in colors to the borders and/or lettering. An extremely desirable unissued proof features a player who was dropped from the set altogether.
Four basic colors are used to create a typical card - magenta (red), cyan (blue), yellow, and black. A progressive proof is created by using one, two, or three of these colors on a card (if all four colors are used, it is not a progressive proof card). A progressive proof card allows printers the chance to analyze color balances, and make the appropriate changes before the card is mass-produced. Progressive proof cards are usually unique, with no more than one of any special color combination being produced.
A blue line proof card is created during the final stages of production. This type of proof is a copy of the actual negative that will be used to create the mass-produced card. It is used to verify the accuracy of major details such as alignment and clarity. Errors such as inaccurate text or incorrect photos should be corrected before a blue line proof is printed. Proofs of this kind are not multi-colored; the graphics are displayed in varying shades of blue only.
Each of the four primary colors used to create a card (magenta, cyan, yellow, and black) will have its own film positive proof. This kind of proof will appear black and white, even if the represented color is magenta, cyan, or yellow. Non-printing areas will show as clear (white). This type of proof is very useful to help recognize areas of the card that are lacking shades of the color in question. This kind of Topps proof is often found for cards issued in the late 1970s.
A proof card that was created for consideration in a set, but was changed in some way before the actual product was issued (assuming the product was issued at all). An unissued proof may result from changes to the card photo, such as a cropping difference, reversed photo, or completely different photo altogether. An unissued proof may list a player with his former team, while the actual issued card includes the updated team. Yet another type of unissued proof includes variations in colors to the borders and/or lettering. An extremely desirable unissued proof features a player who was dropped from the set altogether.