Glossary · Printing & files
What is a proof copy of a book?
Definition
Proof copy: A proof copy is a printed test copy of your book that you order before publishing, so you can check the cover, interior and print quality.
A proof copy is a physical sample of your print book, made from the exact files you uploaded, that you order before the book goes on sale. Screens and online previewers are useful, but they cannot show you how the cover colours print, whether text sits too close to the gutter, how the spine lines up, or how the paper feels.
On print-on-demand platforms you usually pay the printing cost plus shipping for a proof. Some platforms mark proofs so they cannot be resold — Amazon KDP, for example, prints a "Not for Resale" band on proof copies. Check the platform's current rules on how to order proofs and how many you can order.
When the proof arrives, check it methodically. Is the title on the spine centred, and does it stay off the front and back covers? Are any images or colours cut off at the edges? Are the margins comfortable, especially on the binding side? Do chapters start where they should, and are page numbers and running heads correct? Are there blank pages you did not expect? Read at least a sample of pages for typos — they are easier to spot on paper.
If you change the interior or cover after the proof, consider ordering another one, particularly if the page count — and so the spine width — has changed.