Editing Job Definition Format (section)

===Introduction to proofing===
Before describing the implementation of proofing in JDF, it's better to know a little about the terminology
that will be used.

# Proofing: the process of producing a printed output on a device (proofer) that emulates the best it can the supposed printed output on press (the final production device that can be a conventional press, a digital press…) where the final printed product will be produced. Prepress proofing (or off-press proofing) provide a visual copy without creating a press proof (the process is cheaper).
# Soft proofing: the same as proofing, but the proofer is actually a screen.
# Approval: the process of approving or rejecting the proofing (or the soft proofing). Comments and annotations may be added to describe the reasons of the decision and to give instructions on what changes to do.

The original input files have to be processed to be printed on the final press (interpreting, rendering, screening, color management....) and the same to be printed on the proofer (different characteristics). The decision on which of the processing steps will be executed once (common both for printing on the proofer and on the press) and which not will depend on many parameters (characteristics of the proofer device, user requirements, workflow requirements…). The proofing has to take in account the consistency between the press and the proofer.