Proofing Your Designs Online: Tips to Help You Get it Right

If you’re like most graphic designers, you probably rely heavily on Adobe Photoshop to create your designs. But what if something goes wrong with your image? What if you make a mistake in your Illustrator file? No worries – plenty of online proofing services can help you get your designs the way you want them.

Use a Program or Service

Several programs and services can help you check your design for errors. Some of these are free, and some will require payment. Be sure to check out the websites or apps before signing up for them to know what features they offer, how much they cost, and if any refunds are available if it doesn’t work out for you.

When you’re looking for a program or service to proof your designs, there are a few factors you should keep in mind:

• Ease of Use: You’ll want to choose something easy to use and understand. Otherwise, you’ll end up frustrated.
• Compatibility: Make sure the program or service you choose is compatible with the software you use to create your designs.
• Pricing: Like anything else, you’ll want to consider the cost of the program or service. Free options are available but may not have all the features you’re looking for.
• Customer Support: If something goes wrong or you have questions, you’ll want to be able to get help from customer support.

Common Features of Online Proofing Services

Most online proofing services offer similar features. Here are some of the most common:

• File-Sharing: This allows you to share your design files with others so they can view them and provide feedback.
• Version Control: This ensures that everyone looks at the design’s same version.
• Annotation: This allows you to leave comments on the design for others to see.
• Approval Workflow: This will enable you to manage who needs to approve the design and in what order.
• Real-Time Collaboration: This allows multiple people to work on the design simultaneously.

Check the Layout

When proofing your design, it’s essential to check the layout. Here are some factors to keep in mind when checking the layout:

• Check on Different Devices: Make sure your design looks good on different devices. This includes computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Check on Different Browsers: In addition to different devices, you’ll also want to ensure that your design looks good on different browsers. This includes popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
• Check on Different Operating Systems: It’s also a good idea to check your design on different operating systems. This includes Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
• Check on Screen Resolutions: Another thing to keep in mind is different screen resolutions. This includes 4K, 1080p, 720p and more.
• Check on Different Screen Sizes: Check your design on different screen sizes. This includes small screens, like those on smartphones, and large screens, like those on TVs.

Proof the Colors

You can also use proofing software to check your color choices, including:

Color Palette

You may have a specific color palette for the design. If so, proofing will allow you to see whether your colors are within that palette and whether they work together as you imagined.

Use of Color

Proofing can help ensure that all the colors in your design are used appropriately and effectively—not just on their own but also when combined with other elements such as text or photography. This will help ensure that there aren’t any jarring clashes between different elements in the design, which could create confusion for viewers or distract from your message.

Contrast Levels

Contrast levels between two or more colors should be checked thoroughly during proofing. Poor contrast can make it difficult for viewers to understand your website (or app) content.

By default, most browsers automatically increase contrast levels when viewing webpages so that they’re easier to read; however, this isn’t always enough if there is low contrast between two or more colors in an image or background pattern (like stripes).

You’ll want to ensure these issues have been resolved before publishing anything online; otherwise, visitors won’t be able to see what’s essential without straining their eyes!

Check the Fonts

When proofreading your designs online, checking that the fonts are available is essential. You can do this by hovering over each font in your design and checking its status bar. If there’s an exclamation point next to the font name, it’s unavailable on your website.

Another thing you’ll want to do is make sure all of your text is the right size and color—if not, go back and make changes until they are. You also must ensure everything looks good no matter what browser or device people view it on (this requires responsive design).

The text must be readable; make sure none of it is too small for someone who doesn’t have perfect vision (or has bad eyesight) can read easily from across the room!

Also, take care when choosing colors because some combinations may be harder than others for certain groups of people—like those with color blindness—to distinguish between one another.”

Proof the Images

Images are another vital element to check when proofing your designs online. Ensure all images are loading correctly and look good on the browsers and devices you’re testing. Here are a few tips for proofing images:

• Check the Image Resolution: This refers to the number of pixels on your image and can affect how detailed it appears. A lower-resolution version will look blurry and pixelated if you have a high-res photo.
• Check the Image Size: A large image may not fit within your design layout if it doesn’t meet your specifications, so keep an eye on this as well—you’ll want to ensure that the dimensions are correct before saving or uploading anything!
• Get Feedback: Check the quality of your photos by going over them with someone else so they can give feedback on any potential flaws (like dirt spots). Of course, this isn’t always possible since people often work alone when designing things—but having another set of eyes go over everything before sending something off online is recommended!