The Importance of Proofing

I do all of the artwork and ordering of the promotional products at work. A few weeks ago we had a small investments company order 1,000 magnetic business cards (very routine). After I set it up, I faxed it to them for proofing (the customer has to proof and sign everything before it can be sent to production). They proofed it, made a few minor changes, proofed it again, made one more change, proofed it again and signed their approval. They came in and looked great. The customer picked them up, looked them over and was very happy.

About a week later Abe (our sales rep) needed to call them with a question about his investments. So, he just looked at his handy dandy magnet for the number. He called, hung up, called again and burst out laughing. 1,000 magnets had the wrong number printed on them. Oh, but not just ANY wrong number…a GAY SEX line!

We contacted them immediately to let them know they shouldn’t hand any more out to their customers. Luckily, we caught it right before they were included in a mass mailing! They were handed out to a handful of customers though, one of which was a Lutheran minister!