Whether you are doing the proofing or making edits to a project, a graphic designer has to know what proofreaders’ marks mean.
It’s a very good idea to have someone else proof a project that you are working on. Usually, because you are so familiar with the contents, you are likely to overlook errors another reader would catch.
When proofing, always make corrections using a red pen. This makes them easy to distinguish from the text. Make the correction using the appropriate mark and also note it in the closest margin. Sometimes I will circle the change, especially if it’s small, for instance, a missing period would be easy to miss.
When making corrections to a piece that someone else proofed I start at the beginning and work my way to the end. I use a highlighter to check off each change as I do it to make doubly sure that I’ve made it.
Click here to download a copy of the most common proof marks.
