Recognize the new review surface
A manuscript and a designed proof are different objects. Text can reflow, headings can move, and references can become detached from the material they describe. The final proof deserves attention even when the manuscript was carefully edited.
Agree on the version to be checked. If layout is still changing during the review, page references and correction locations may become unreliable. A clear version label helps the proofreader and production team work from the same surface.
Check navigation and cross-references
Compare the contents with the actual headings and page numbers. Follow references to figures, tables, appendices, and sections. For digital material, test the destination of editorial links rather than assuming that the visible label proves the link is correct.
Check that a heading is not stranded at the bottom of a page and that captions remain associated with their images. These are reading problems as well as production details: the relationship between elements carries meaning.
Read small text deliberately
Headers, footers, captions, notes, and table labels are easy to overlook because the main prose receives most of the attention. Give them a separate pass. Compare repeated elements for consistency rather than relying on memory across distant pages.
Look for missing symbols, unusual line breaks, inconsistent spacing, and text that has been cut off. A character that looked correct in the source file may behave differently after a font change or export.
Keep corrections traceable
Use the agreed annotation method and identify the exact location of each correction. If you provide a separate list, include enough context to distinguish repeated words or similar passages. Avoid vague directions such as “fix the sentence near the middle.”
Separate essential corrections from optional rewriting. Large revisions late in production can create new page-flow problems and invalidate other checks. If rewriting is necessary, allow time to review the changed layout again.
Review the corrected proof
A correction list is not evidence that every correction was applied correctly. Compare the returned proof with the requested changes and inspect the nearby text for new problems. This focused check is especially important after substitutions that change line length.
Keep a record of the approved final version. The file sent for release should be the file that was checked, not an older export with a similar name. A deliberate handover protects the work done throughout the editing process.