Think of a proxy as a small-scale "poster" on A4 paper that stands in for a giant billboard. You use the lightweight version for the work and swap back to the original for the final "billboard" export.
This mirrors the old physical film process where editors used a "workprint" (a cheap physical copy) to make cuts, protecting the original master negative from damage. How to Produce "Paper" (Proxies) FILMY PROXY
Using tools like MTG Print to generate high-quality card images. Think of a proxy as a small-scale "poster"
Printing on thin paper or sticker sheets and sliding them into a card sleeve in front of a real card for proper weight and feel. How To Make FOIL Proxies For Magic: the Gathering How to Produce "Paper" (Proxies) Using tools like
Once imported, you can toggle a "Use Proxies" button in your editor to switch between the low-res "editing" files and the high-res "master" files instantly. Physical "Paper" Proxies
Use software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve to "transcode" your raw files into a more manageable format, like ProRes Proxy or DNxHR.
Many professional cameras (like Sony) can record low-res proxy files onto a secondary SD card simultaneously with the high-res footage.