proofs

Refers in a general way to impressions of a print taken from a plate or block, usually before the production of the regular edition, in order to correct, add to, or check the development of a work. Formerly, true proofs referred to proofs made before work on the plate or block is finished. Common since the 18th century are proofs before letters, artist's proofs, remarque proofs, and printers' proofs; these are types of proofs that are deliberately printed to be sold at higher prices and are not, in the strictest sense, true proofs. The term is sometimes loosely and incorrectly and used as a synonym for "impressions."