nip distance ink is applied between doctor blade 138 and anilox roll 106 if present felt dam 147 is saturated with ink if a proof is to be hand pulled an operator grasps proofing tool 100 by extended portion 144 and extended portion 120 and orients proofing tool 100 so that anilox roll 106 is substantially vertically above impression roll 108 impression roll 108 is then brought into contact with a substrate and proofing tool 100 is drawn along the substrate ink is then transferred from anilox roll 106 to impression roll 108 with the amount of ink being transferred being controlled by doctor blade 138 and the qualities of anilox roll 106 ink from impression roll 108 is transferred to the substrate creating an ink proof if proofing tool 100 is used with an ink proofing machine not shown proofing tool 100 is prepared for proofing in a process similar to that described above proofing tool 100 is then attached to proofing machine not shown by connecting ball sockets 144 to ball ends 142 a substrate is inserted between impression roll 108 or proofing tool 100 and a drive roll not shown of ink proofing machine not shown if positive roll drive 110 is present impression gear 128 may be engaged to a drive roll gear not shown so that as drive roll not shown rotates the drive roll gear it meshes with impression gear 128 and rotates impression roll 106 impression gear.