What Are Proofreaders’ Marks?

Proofreaders’ Marks Explained

Having an understanding of the following proofreaders’ marks is imperative in desktop publishing. The standard proofreaders’ marks were created so that there would be a consistent style—almost a language of sorts—for editors and proofreaders to communicate through, regardless of their backgrounds, locations, or trades. These easily understood graphical symbols are essentially the language we editors speak when marking a hard copy. Whether editing a proof that has been typeset or even proofreading a final copy just before it goes to the printer, the editor is often the last set of eyes on a document before it is released, and these proofreaders’ marks are what we use to communicate our changes. Here’s a list of the standard proofreaders’ marks for your reference.