Making Amends - Marking Changes On Hard Copy Proofs!

Despite a move towards digital proofing for some jobs paper proofs make more sense. It is inevitable that most jobs will require at least minor changes at the proof stage, marking your requirements clearly is vital if we are to ensure the process of making amendments is quick and problem free. It is in everyone's interest that changes are made correctly first time around. Below are some of the most common issues that we come across and how you can avoid them...

• Proof read before your send - it sounds obvious, but the number of author's corrections that we have to make suggests that documents are often not checked before they are sent to us. It is much easier for everyone if the original document is correct.

• Mark clearly - small changes in pencil or black pen on a page of black text are easily missed, make your changes bold and obvious, use a highlighter or red pen to make them stand out.

• Be explicit - we often receive proofs back marked 'Sp' or with words underlined, if you want to correct a spelling mistake, correct punctuation or change a word please write it in full. Marking corrections on a proof is very different to marking students' work.

• Check your changes - before you send the proof back please make sure you have checked all of the changes, '?' or 'does this need to be updated' on the proof can lead to confusion and delay.

• Large updates - if you need to replace a whole page or paragraph it can be difficult to read if scribbled in the page margin, either write it on a separate sheet, or better still, email it to us and reference this on the proof.

• Be consistent - if you are marking pages with changes by attaching a sticky note, or putting an X on the corner of the page, or folding the page corner, please do it on every page with changes. Likewise, try to use the same colour pen throughout.