Press Check Sign-Off Sheet Template
A press check is the moment where the whole run is either right or wasted. This sheet records the measurements, the decision and the sign-off so you can prove later that the sheet was checked against the approved reference.
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Press Check Sign-Off Sheet Template
Press Check Sign-Off
Plant: Harbor Packaging Co. Plant 2 Job: J-24-1187 Press: Flexo Press 4 (8 colour) Operator: R. Alvarez Date: 2026-10-20 Substrate: SBS 18 pt coated board Colour reference: Signed contract proof, ref J-24-1187-P2 Max Delta E (brand colour): 3
Measured values
| Channel / item | Target | Measured | Tolerance | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyan density or L*a*b* | ||||
| Magenta density or L*a*b* | ||||
| Yellow density or L*a*b* | ||||
| Black density or L*a*b* | ||||
| Spot colour 1 | ||||
| Registration (mm) | ||||
| Varnish / coating coverage | ||||
| Cut, crease or die position |
Decision
Approved with notes
Notes
Pantone 186 C trending light, ink viscosity corrected. Registration within tolerance after second check.
Approvals
Fill target and tolerance columns from your customer specification or your own press standard. Tolerances differ by print process and customer, so none are preset here beyond what you type.
Capture press quality data in your ERP
Optional: a short review of how press check results could feed your ERP quality records.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the sheet
Enter the job, press and colour reference, then pull a sheet or length of web at running speed. Measure each channel against the target, and record the decision. Operators often add the adjustments they made, for example ink viscosity or anilox change, because that history explains drift later in the run. Export to PDF and attach to the job traveller.
Measuring against a reference
Colour acceptance is easiest when the reference is a signed contract proof or a numeric target such as L*a*b* values. Delta E is the colour difference between measured and target, and the maximum allowed value is a customer or press standard decision. Registration and cut position should be measured on the sheet, not judged by eye.
- Record the instrument and measuring condition (for example M1) if you use a spectrophotometer
- Check a sheet from the start, middle and end of makeready if the press has been adjusted
- Never approve against a screen image alone
Common mistakes
Teams often sign off a good sheet and then fail to re-check after a roll change, ink top-up or press stop. Others record only pass or fail, which hides the slow drift that causes a rejected pallet three hours later. Write the actual value so trends are visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an OK-to-run sheet?
It is the sheet or sample that an authorised person signs to confirm that the print matches the approved reference. The press then runs the job and compares samples against that signed sheet during the run.
What Delta E is acceptable?
There is no universal value. It depends on the customer, the colour and the print process. Many brand owners define a tighter limit for brand colours and a looser one for tints. Use the number in your customer specification.
How often should samples be pulled during a run?
Follow the control plan for the job. A common practice is at start, after every roll or pallet change, after any stop and at regular time intervals. The key point is that the frequency is written down and followed.
Can this sheet be used for digital presses?
Yes. Replace the density rows with the device's colour check values and add the ICC profile or colour setup name in the notes. The approval logic of reference, measurement, decision and signature is unchanged.
If press check data sits on paper, we can help pipe measured values into your ERP or MES quality record so each lot carries its colour history.
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