Contone proofers use the PS/PDF file, process it with their internal PS/PDF interpreter, apply the right colour management, and print it on the colour printer as a continuous tone image.
Because the job will be interpreted twice, there is a slight chance of content differences (though in StudioRIP they will be interpreted by the same PS engine under the same conditions, so this chance is little more than theoretical).
Advantages
- color accuracy: the typical colour accuracy is about ∆E = 0.6-0.8
- accurate non-CYMK colors: the accuracy of the non-CMYK colours is incomparably better.
- one profile needed: the profiling work needs to be done just once, and then various ICC files can be simulated by one mouse click.
Disadvantages
- data integrity: there is a slight chance for content differences between the proof and the print.
- lower speed: the file needs to be processed twice.
- imposition: only automatic impositions, that can be replicated in the proofing process, can be simulated.
