Reviewing a digital proof
Your digital proof is your first opportunity to see how your book will look once it has been professionally designed. It's a chance to check layout, styling, and content carefully before anything is printed. Reviewing it thoughtfully and methodically will help catch small issues early and make the next stage of the process much smoother.
Open the file with the right software
When your design is ready for review, we'll send you PDF proof files. The interior will usually be supplied as a single PDF, with the cover provided separately. We strongly recommend reviewing these files using Adobe Reader, which is free, reliable, and displays PDFs accurately. Other software can sometimes render pages slightly differently, which makes careful checking harder.
Use a large screen
It's best to review your proof on the largest, clearest screen available to you. Small tablets and phones aren't suitable for proofing, as text and spacing won't display accurately. You may also notice a watermark on the proof indicating it isn't yet final or ready for print. This is normal at this stage. The aim here is to focus on content and layout, not to judge the finished physical appearance.
Review in passes
Rather than trying to check everything at once, it's much more effective to review your proof in several passes, each with a specific focus. This helps prevent fatigue and makes it easier to spot issues. You might start with general layout and flow, then move on to text accuracy, headings, tables, or images in later passes.
Check for typos and text issues
Even if you've proofread your manuscript carefully before, it's very common to notice typos or inconsistencies once the text has been typeset. Changes in line breaks, spacing, and emphasis often make small issues more visible. This is exactly what the proof stage is for, so don't worry if you spot things you hadn't noticed before.
Check for interpretation and layout choices
Your designer will have followed your manuscript, instructions, and any agreed samples, but it's still possible for things to be interpreted slightly differently than you expected. This might include heading hierarchy, spacing, emphasis, or the way certain elements are treated. If something doesn't look as you intended, simply flag it so it can be adjusted.
Look out for genuine mistakes
Every paragraph in your book will have been handled during the design process, from styling text and setting headers to recreating tables or diagrams. While great care is taken, this is a complex, manual process, and occasional errors can happen. The proof stage is your chance to catch anything that doesn't look right.
Mark changes clearly using PDF comments
The clearest way to report changes is by using PDF comments. These allow you to highlight an exact spot on the page and add a short note explaining what needs changing. This avoids ambiguity and makes it much easier for your designer to find and fix issues quickly. Trying to describe a problem in words alone can lead to confusion, especially on busy pages.
Understand the limits of a digital proof
A digital proof can't replicate the look or feel of a printed book. Screen colors are shown in RGB, while printing uses CMYK inks, which means colors may appear slightly different in print. Paper texture, weight, and finish also can't be judged digitally. For this reason, a printed proof is still an essential final step before approval.
Taking the time to review your digital proof carefully helps ensure your book moves smoothly toward print. Our aim is to make this stage as clear and straightforward as possible, so you can give confident feedback and know exactly what to look for before approving the next step.