Art Term

Proof

Proof is a printing term applied to all individual impressions made before work on a printing plate or block is completed, in order to check progress of the image

Richard Hamilton
Stage Proof 18 (1972)
Tate

© The estate of Richard Hamilton

Leon Kossoff
Going Home [stage proof] (1979–84)
Tate

© Leon Kossoff

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi
[no title: trial proof for Conditional Probability Machine] (1970)
Tate

© The Eduardo Paolozzi Foundation

Also referred to as ‘trial proof’ or ‘colour trial proof’. This should not be confused with the terms artist’s proof (AP) and printer’s proof (PP) which are impressions of the finished print made in addition to the published edition for the artist or printer.

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