Online proofing software streamlines the process of collecting feedback. These tools help creative teams inform stakeholders about the project’s progress and manage the feedback received, from concept to completion.
Online proofing solutions are used by marketing teams, designers, creative teams, and freelancers. This enables internal and external stakeholders to view and collaborate on in-progress content and sign it off when it is deemed complete and ready to publish.
These tools allow users to customize workflows for different projects and apply their brand standards to the creative workflow, ensuring accountability and brand consistency. Online proofing software can also provide version history and comparison of projects. It also offers comment and discussion flows to ensure feedback is acknowledged and incorporated into the finished product.
Online proofing systems often integrate with authoring and publishing tools like design software, which enables users to upload in-progress content to be reviewed for feedback. Online proofing tools may also integrate with digital asset management software, project management software, or other content management software for import and export of project components.
To qualify for inclusion in the Online Proofing category, a product must:
Provide tools for highlighting and annotating feedback on creative file types, including but not limited to JPEG, PNG, PDF, AI, PSD, and INDD
Allow sign-in and proofreading access at different levels for external clients, coworkers, and managers
Enable users to create custom review routes for proofs to ensure sequential stakeholder review, set deadlines, and lock proofing content once approved, preventing further annotations
Track design revisions and feedback threads for each project
Send automated notifications to collaborators to encourage timely feedback and approvals
Offer features that ensure brand compliance
