Many kinds of hardcopy imaging systems have been developed and the image quality of these images has improved greatly. Therefore, engineers and designers in the printing industry are showing an incleasing interst in using these hardcopy systems as the proof press instead of conventional printing proof. Two standard color images with test chart were reproduced using 16 kinds of printers; laser printers, sublimation printers, silver halide printers, on-demand type thermal printers and inkjet printers. Color reproduction and resolution of these images were measured and analyzed. The images were then rated by 18 designers and engineers from the printing industry. In that follows, the problems of present hardcopy systems for usage as the proof press in printing are discussed. It is the purpose of this paper to describe the capabilities of direct proof in present hardcopy.