PROOFING & APPROVAL
Nothing prints without your approval.
Every order — no matter the size or path — goes through the same proofing process. You see exactly what we'll produce before we produce it.
Anatomy of a Peppermint proof
Here’s exactly what you’ll approve.
After you order, we send a digital proof that spells out how we’ll make your piece: the paper, the inks, the foil, every finish. Nothing prints until you say yes.
PP-2026-0000 · example order
Maison Alderwick · Elise Marlowe · 250 business cards
- Antique Gold foil + light deboss
- Letterpress · PMS 5535 U
- Trim (cut line)
- Safe area
| Paper | 32pt duplex cotton, Ivory · two sheets, pressed together |
| Print method | Letterpress, 1 Pantone, both sides |
| Ink | PMS 5535 U · forest green, mixed to the chip |
| Foil | Hot foil stamping: sprig, wordmark, rules · front + back |
| Foil color | Antique Gold · from our foil library |
| Finishes | Light deboss under the foil · edges painted PMS 5535 U |
| Size | 3.5 × 2 in · square corners |
| Quantity | 250 |
Nothing prints until you approve. Reply with changes and we send v2.
Colors on screen are approximate. The approved proof is what prints.
Example proof for a fictional brand.
And a production simulation of the same card.
Instead of a printed proof, you get an AI concept render, made with AI and guided by real photos from our materials library. It explores the look and feel, not the print file. A designer rebuilds your artwork as layered vector files, checked against your approved digital proof.
From concept render to press-ready files
Your quote's AI concept render explores how your piece could look and feel. It is a photographic raster image, made in minutes: a starting point for the conversation, not your proof or print file.
After you order, a designer on our team rebuilds your artwork by hand, layer by layer, as clean vector files. You review a digital proof and ask for changes as often as you like, all included. Rather talk it through? Book a call and we'll open your latest proof together on screen.
Foil stamping, letterpress and embossing don't print from a picture. Each foil colour needs its own die, each letterpress colour its own plate, and every element is built and checked by hand. That's why a designer rebuilds your art after you order, and why it's included in the price.
Concept render
- Made with AI, guided by real photos from our materials library
- Photographic raster image
- Shows the look and feel
- Made in minutes
- A starting point for the conversation
Press-ready files
- Built by a designer, layer by layer, in vector
- One layer per process: foil, letterpress, emboss, spot colour
- What dies and plates are made from
- Checked against your approved proof
How proofing works
You place your order and upload files
After checkout, upload your artwork (and mask files if applicable) through your account dashboard. You can upload immediately or come back later — but your production timeline doesn't start until files are uploaded and your proof is approved.
Our design team reviews your files
A designer on our team rebuilds your artwork by hand, layer by layer, as clean vector files for press. The concept render is their reference, not the print file. We check every layer before sending your proof.
You receive a digital proof
Within 24 hours of payment and file upload, we'll post a digital PDF proof to your account. You'll receive an email notification when it's ready. Log in to review it. It lists the paper, print method, Pantone inks, foil and every finish, like the example above.
You approve or request changes
Review your proof carefully. If everything looks right, click the 'Approved' button in your dashboard. If you need changes, use the dashboard messenger to describe what needs adjusting. There's no limit to the number of revision rounds — we'll keep refining until you're satisfied.
Production begins
Once you approve, we schedule your job on our press calendar and send your estimated ship date. Your turnaround timeline starts from approval.
Why no printed proof
A printed proof means making your job twice.
Every specialty piece needs its own setup before a single sheet runs. A hard-copy proof repeats all of it, so it costs close to the full order and adds weeks.
Plates made
Letterpress plates exposed and cut for your art.
Foil dies cut
A metal die engraved for every foil and deboss.
Pantones hand-mixed
Your ink mixed by hand and matched to the chip.
Paper pulled
Your exact stock cut down, ready for press.
×2Set it all up for one proof, then again for the real run. So we put that effort into getting your one run right.
What you get instead
Five ways to be sure, before and after.
Before you order
The sample pack
Recent projects and the papers and finishes we use most. Feel them in your hand.
With your quote
Production simulation
An AI concept render guided by real photos from our materials library: a reference, not the print file.
After you order
Digital proof
Paper, inks, Pantone, foil and finishes spelled out. Nothing prints until you approve.
as many rounds as you need
Multi-name orders
One set first
One person’s full set first, often the CEO’s, kept as a finished set. Tweak anything, then we run the rest.
Very large order with time to spare? A press proof is possible. Ask us and we’ll tell you if it’s worth it.
Feel like we’re not getting it? Book a call and ask for Austin or Bailey by name. We’ll get everyone on the same page.
Book a callGood to know
Proof turnaround
You'll receive your first proof within 24 hours of payment and file upload.
Unlimited revisions
Design rebuild and proof rounds are included, as many rounds as you need. Change size, position, fonts or colours by replying or using Request changes on your order page. Each round gets a new version number. If email isn't getting us there, book a call and we'll go through your latest proof together on screen. Brand-new design, such as a new logo without usable artwork, is a separate staff-quoted service.
Approval required
We never print without your explicit approval. Every order, every path, every time.
Auto-approval policy
If we don't hear back within 7 days of posting a proof, and we've followed up via email, the proof is auto-approved and production begins. This prevents orders from stalling indefinitely.
What we can adjust during proofing
Included in proofing revisions
- Text corrections (spelling, phone number, title changes)
- Color adjustments within the same color mode
- Repositioning elements
- Adjusting foil/spot UV mask placement
- Resizing within the same product dimensions
Not included (separate design service)
- Creating a new design from scratch
- Adding new design elements (illustrations, photography, complex graphics)
Need design help? We offer design services — mention it when you request a custom quote.
Proofing questions
What's on my digital proof?
The proof version number, your front and back artwork with trim and safe lines, color-coded elements (gold for foil, green for ink), and a spec table: paper, print method, Pantone ink, foil, foil color, finishes, size and quantity. Nothing prints until you approve.
Do you offer printed proofs?
No. A printed proof means making your job twice: plates, foil dies, hand-mixed Pantones and your paper all have to be set up once for the proof and again for the real run, so it costs close to the full order and adds weeks. Instead you get the sample pack, a production simulation, a digital proof with as many rounds as you need, one set first on multi-name orders, and our quality guarantee. Very large order with time to spare? A press proof is possible; ask us and we'll tell you if it's worth it.
What is a production simulation?
An AI concept render, made with AI and guided by real photos from our materials library. It shows one take on the look and feel, not the print file. After you order, a designer rebuilds your artwork as layered vector files, checked against your approved digital proof.
Is the render on my quote the final design?
No. It's an AI concept render: one take on how it could look with your specs. After you order, a designer rebuilds your artwork as print-ready vector files and sends you a digital proof. You change anything you like, and nothing prints until you approve.
How many rounds of changes do I get?
As many as you need. Design rebuild and proof rounds are included in the price. If email isn't getting us there, book a call and we'll go through your proof together on screen.
When do I get a ship date?
After you approve your proof. That's when your job goes on our press calendar, and we send you an estimated ship date. Custom work usually takes about 3 weeks from approval, plus shipping.
Can I see one person's cards before the whole team's order runs?
Yes. On multi-name orders we make one person's full set first, often the CEO's, kept as a finished set. Tweak anything, then we run the rest.
What if I'm not happy with my prints?
Not right? Send it back and we reprint it, built so it's right.
Have something specific?
Tell us about your project and we'll scope it together.
Request a Custom Quote →