BAT (Ready to Print): definition, legal scope, and best practices

The BAT: the formal agreement preceding printing

The BAT, an acronym for Bon à Tirer, refers to the document through which a client gives their signed approval for the printing of a document or label, after validating the content, layout, and colors on a proof presented by the printer. This approval usually takes place just before the production run begins, whether it involves personalized labels, printed packaging, or any other medium requiring a result that meets the client’s expectations.

The scope of the BAT goes beyond a simple commercial formality. Contractually, it releases the printer from any responsibility for errors found after printing, provided those errors were already present on the proof approved by the client. In practice, if a spelling mistake, incorrect color, or wrong information appeared on the document signed as approved for printing, the responsibility for that error lies with the client who approved it, not the professional who carried out the printing according to the instructions given.

This rule explains why the BAT proofreading phase is a critical step in any order process for personalized labels. A professional ordering labels with their logo, regulatory mentions, or barcodes must devote real time to checking the proof: spelling, dimensions, element positioning, barcode readability at actual scale, color consistency with the brand guidelines, and compliance with mandatory legal mentions according to the sector, especially for food products or items under specific standards.

An often underestimated point concerns color fidelity between the screen, the paper proof, and the final production output. A digital proof viewed on an uncalibrated screen does not guarantee an identical result in physical printing, especially for vivid colors or large solid areas. When color accuracy is critical for brand image, it is recommended to request a physical printed proof rather than just a digital mock-up before signing the BAT.

In a professional supplier relationship, the BAT also plays a role in organization and traceability. It sets a reference date from which the production lead time begins and serves as an archivable proof in case of later disputes about delivery compliance. For recurring orders involving references already validated in the past, some suppliers offer to reuse a previous BAT without a new proof, speeding up production time while maintaining traceability of the initial approval. However, it is still recommended to request a new proof whenever any visual element, even minor, is changed compared to the previously approved version.