Verification: The project manager organizes the source and target text, ensuring they are intuitively organized for the formatter to reference.
Instructions: The project manager creates a highly detailed memo providing the formatter with specific instructions and addressing special issues relevant to the project.
Formatting: The project manager sends the formatter all text and instructions. With a multitude of fonts and layout applications at our formatter’s disposal, your project is in expert hands.
Micro Proofing: This is the first of three stages of proofing—a non-linguistic QA check for completeness, correctness, and consistency standards. Micro proofing is a detailed looked at the text, ensuring the target document’s formatting is consistent with the source document’s formatting. We ensure the following items are consistent across both documents: the number of headers and paragraphs, special punctuation, text enhancements, spacing, special characters, numbers, contact information, and other non-linguistic markers. Additionally, the micro proofer will check for internal formatting consistency—for instance, verifying that all headers are the same font size and bolding. Oftentimes, our proofers will also discover language issues at this stage and will raise language questions for the linguistic team to address.
Revision 1: After micro proofing, the formatter incorporates all legitimate corrections. The document is then sent to a macro proofer.
Macro Proofing: This is the second stage of proofing, a high-level examination of the document. The macro proofer ensures that the formatter incorporated all the relevant corrections from the micro proofing stage and double-checks other micro items, such as: text enhancements and contact information left in English. The proofer will also review the placement of graphics and text, paying special attention to margin alignment, indentations, size and placement of graphics.
Revision 2: After macro proofing, the formatter incorporates all legitimate corrections. The document is sent back to the macro proofer to ensure all corrections were implemented correctly.
Galley Proofing: This third and final stage of proofing is applicable only to specific projects, such as books and manuals. The galley proofer cross-references tables of contents, pagination, indexes, and document organization to ensure items are located intuitively and in the correct location. The document is also reviewed again for internal formatting consistency.
Revision 3: After galley proofing, the formatter incorporates all legitimate corrections. The document is sent back to the galley proofer to ensure all corrections were implemented correctly.
Client First Proof: A ‘first proof’ is sent to the client for comments and approval. Revision 4: Any client revisions are implemented; another proof is sent to the client for approval.
Finalization: The client reviews the final proof. Upon approval, final output and delivery is performed.