Copy Editing vs Proofreading

Although the two often get confused,
copy editing and proofreading are different stages of the editing process:

Copy Editing
Goal: to make the writing polished, professional, and ready for typesetting.

Happens before the final layout and typesetting.
Focuses on improving the clarity, flow, and consistency of the text.

Checks for:

• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Consistency in style, tone, and formatting.
• Accuracy of facts, names, and references.
• Awkward phrasing, repetition, or unclear sentences.

Proofreading
Goal: to ensure the publication is accurate before printing or release.

• Happens after the text has been typeset/designed (Final check before when it is ready for print).
• Focuses on catching final errors that slipped through.

Checks for:

• Typos, punctuation errors, or spelling mistakes.
• Layout problems (e.g. broken headings, spacing, page numbers).
• Inconsistent fonts, captions, or formatting in the final version.

Note:
Both copy-editing and proof-reading are very complicated processes
It is almost impossible to catch all of the errors.
Give yourself time for a final read-through.
Don’t panic – if the book is to be printed on demand,
make notes of any changes for an updated version.

Quick summary:

Copy editing = polishing the text for clarity and consistency.
Proofreading = checking the final version for typos and formatting errors.