Approval Manager can also be used to manage the approval process for hard-copy proofs. When used in this way, two general approaches are supported:

Hard-Copy Proofs with Reference Soft Proofs

In this process, hard-copy proofs are distributed to all participants of the approval and review process. Additionally, a soft proof file is uploaded to the approval process created and managed in Approval Manager. Comments and participant scheduling is managed completely in Approval Manager. Users review the physical proof, but make their annotations in the reference soft proof. This approach removes the burden of retrieving annotated hard copy proofs from all reviewers while still providing mechanisms for reviewers to approve, annotate, and add comments to proofs.

Hard-Copy Proofs without Reference Soft Proofs

In this process, hard-copy proofs are distributed to all participants of the approval and review process. Comments and scheduling are managed by Approval Manager, but annotations (if needed) are made directly to the hard-copy proof and returned to the manager for redistribution (if required). Users still employ the standard approval manager process and can approve, approve with changes, or reject any proof at any stage of the workflow for which they are an assigned reviewer.