A process is disclosed for preparing a pre-press proof of an original subject having highlight, midtone and shadow tone areas using a color print paper wherein the dyes of the print paper are brought into substantial color compliance with the yellow, cyan and magenta process inks to be used in producing a lithographic reproduction of the original subject. The tonal range of the proof image is also extended to closely match that of the final printed product. After determining the densitometer readings for yellow, magenta and cyan through blue, green and red filters respectively for the print paper and the process inks, the print paper is exposed to light through each filter with an appropriate color separation halftone negative over the film and with combinations of filters being used for hue correction of the yellow, magenta and cyan film dye coupling dyes. A masked short scale yellow separation halftone negative is used to prepare a dye transfer matrix thereof, the image defining portions of tee matrix are dyed with a yellow transfer dye and the yellow is then transferred to the print paper sheet since the yellow coupling dye of the print paper has an excess of magenta and will not provide a true lemon-yellow color in the proof. Exposure of the print paper through color separation positives along with the same separation negatives through corresponding filters provides tone balance and allows compensation for dot gain in printing.