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Printing a hard proof


    A hard proof can help you check the accuracy of a custom CMYK working space profile. You can produce a hard proof by printing a CMYK image. Do not print an RGB image that has been converted to CMYK in Photoshop. Instead use an image that has been saved in CMYK format without an embedded ICC profile and whose CMYK values have been assigned directly in CMYK mode.

To create your own CMYK proof document:

  1. Create a new Photoshop document in CMYK mode.
  2. Use the Assign Profile command to remove any existing color profile from the document. (See Changing the color profile of a document.)
  3. Create a set of swatches that includes the following:
    • Four swatches, each containing 100% of the CMYK colors (100% cyan, 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 100% black).
    • Four combination swatches (100% each of magenta and yellow, 100% each of cyan and yellow, 100% each of cyan and magenta, and 100% each of cyan, magenta, and yellow).
    • A set of swatches that make up a four-color black, such as 60% cyan, 50% magenta, 50% yellow, and 100% black.
  4. Print a hard proof with calibration bars included. (See Setting output options.)