[Exhibitman]

Sloppy designation is one of my collecting pet peeves. Unless it came from a manufacturer (like the Topps Vault) directly or shows printing guides or marks, or other indicators it is not from the production run, it is a cut or an error or some other interim production item, not a proof.

Cuts (often mislabeled as a 'proof'):



Proof (from the mfg or bearing indicia of proof production--stock, marks, etc.):







Original Art (something that PSA often mislabels as a 'proof', most recently with the Cassius Clay Exhibit card original art):





Other Production Materials:



Just to add visual context to the discussion.