Printviewing

Printviewing is the activity or feature associated with examining how a document, image, or page will appear when printed. The term is used both informally to describe the human process of reviewing a physical proof and in software contexts to indicate a preview mode that simulates printed output before committing to paper.

In print production and publishing, printviewing includes proofreading, layout checks, and color and resolution verification using hard-copy proofs or contract proofs. These practices help detect typographical errors, pagination problems, margin and bleed issues, and color inaccuracies that can differ between on-screen displays and printed material. In professional workflows, printviewing often involves calibrated monitors, color-managed workflows, and use of industry standards such as ICC profiles.

In consumer and office software, printviewing commonly takes the form of a print preview feature that renders a representation of pages, print margins, and pagination. This digital printview allows users to adjust settings (paper size, orientation, scaling) and avoid wasteful test prints. Limitations of digital previews include differences in rendering engines, printer drivers, and paper characteristics, which can cause discrepancies between the preview and the final print.

Printviewing balances efficiency and quality control: it reduces errors and wasted materials while demanding awareness of the differences between soft proofs and physical output. Related concepts include proofing, soft proofing, print proof, and print preview.