

PROOFREADING SOFTWARE FOR PDF PDF
This has the advantage of allowing the proofreader to mark up the PDF using industry-standard BSI proof correction marks. For example, CIEP members Louise Harnby and Claire Ruben have both produced stamps that can be imported into various PDF reader programs.

It is possible to use a set of pre-prepared ‘stamps’ to mark up proofreading corrections on a PDF. Proofreaders are still routinely trained to use the marks, because there are times when they are required by clients, and sometimes they are the clearest and most effective way of marking corrections. Until fairly recently this was the standard system of proofreading markup in the British publishing industry, with similar systems in use around the world. The British Standards Institution (BSI) publishes proof-correction marks (BS 5261C:2005). The list of corrections (comments) can then be checked off by the person making the changes to the layout document for publication, or imported direct into the design software. Most PDF reader programs (such as Adobe Reader) have built-in editing tools, and these are commonly used for proofreading markup. There should be consistency and clarity, and no barriers to the reader understanding the message of the text.

Rather than using percentages to express an acceptable (or unacceptable) error rate, it’s better to think in terms of the proofreader making the text ready for publication – suitable, and of a high enough standard, for the purpose and audience required. Excellent work depends not only on the skill of the proofreader but on the budget and schedule being adequate for the job. Some people will assert that proofreaders should catch a certain percentage of errors, but we don’t believe this is helpful – because of the subjective nature of errors, and also because the proofreader will be working within other constraints. Having said that proofreaders can’t make text perfect, it is important that they catch almost all errors, because that is the main purpose of their work. Is there an acceptable rate of errors for proofreading? While some errors are indisputable, others are not. It’s also because perfection is a subjective concept. This is partly because no matter how well trained, experienced and diligent they are, they are still human (and that’s a good thing!).
PROOFREADING SOFTWARE FOR PDF PROFESSIONAL
No professional proofreader should promise to make your text perfect.

To find out whether you’re suited to proofreading, try our introductory course.
