what does printer's proof mean?

Question

I was reading an item description on ebay for a banknote that says "printer's proof" What exactly does that mean?

Answer 1

"Printer's proofs" refer to anything publishable--such as a document or book--that a printer is getting ready to print.

Say, for example, you've decided to publish a book. So you send the hard copy or electronic file to a printer and tell them that you want them to print 5,000 copies of your book. The printer will then take what you've sent them and create either a single electronic copy of your book or a single hard copy. Then the printer will send that one copy to you. That one copy is called "the printer's proof." It's the printer's way of saying, "Do you like this, because you're going to be getting 5,000 copies of it, so if you want to make changes, please say so now before I start printing the copies."

If you see nothing wrong with the printer's proof, you'll tell him it's ok and to go ahead and make the 5,000 copies. If you see something you want changed, you tell the printer, and he makes the change, and sends you another printer's proof. This goes on until it's the way you like it, and then the printer prints the copies.

Answer 2

Printer's Proof. A complimentary proof given to the printer. There can be from one to several of these proofs, depending upon the number of printers involved and the generosity of the artist.

Answer 3

it means it was the very first copy that ran through the printing press, to make sure there were no glaring mistakes in the printing process. most are quite valuable, if it is a book, or money.