Reviewing a proof
Learn how to review proofs in PageProof using the red pen, checklists, zoom, magic tools, compare mode, and more.
By Gemma and 2 others3 authors42 articles
Commenting
Adding comments to a proof is easy. There are different red pens to choose from, and you can edit/delete comments too
- Adding a commentGiving feedback is essential to successful collaboration. Learn how to use your red pen to review your proofs in PageProof.
- Creating private commentsA comment or reply can be created and made private that only you and your team can see. Your team administrator must enable this feature.
- Use mentioning to draw the attention of others to your commentTo alert a specific person to your comment, use @ mentioning. This will draw their attention to your comment or reply.
- Adding attachments to commentsAttachments can be added to comments and replies to supply imagery, copy, logos etc to the proof owner.
- Styling commentsBold, italics, underline, strikethrough, superscript, lists, and links – add rich text styling to your comment for emphasis and clarity.
- Using comment numbersYou can link comments together using the comment number. It’s easy to use a hashtag to refer to another comment. Here’s how.
- Editing a commentYou can edit your comment if the proof is still in progress. If you’re the approver or proof owner, you can edit other people’s comments.
- Edit pin positionYou can move your comment’s pin/markup position if you need to. Anyone who can edit the comment can do this: the commenter or proof owner.
- Deleting a comment or replyIf you’ve added a comment, or a reply to a comment on a proof, you can delete it if you need to. Here’s how delete a comment or reply.
- Star (agree) a commentAgreeing to a comment made by another reviewer is one way to make sure that you add value to that suggested change. Here’s how to agree.
- Add a comment duration on a video proofIf you’re reviewing a video proof and need your comment to span over time on the video timeline, you can. Here’s how.
- Setting the color of the pen toolThe default pin colors of gray, red, and green can be changed. You can change the default colors of the pin markup in your profile settings.
- Filtering commentsFilter the comment pane to see comments/replies made on a proof by a particular reviewer, page number, agrees and more.
- Comment iconsUnmarked, to-do, done – what does each comment icon mean? And how can you change the default comment pin colors.
- Importing comments from a PDFIf you have a PDF with comments, it’s easy to import the comments and markup onto the proof in PageProof in a couple of clicks.
- Invisible reviewer commentsHow to set up a proof where reviewers outside of your team can only see their own comments and no one else’s.
- Using dictation for commentsIf your browser allows dictation, it’s easy to turn this on to let you dictate your comments. Here’s how to use this feature of the browser.
- Setting the keyboard shortcut to submit a commentYou can change the default shortcut key for submitting a comment from ‘Shift + Enter’ to ‘Enter’ if you’d like. Here’s how.
- Comment labelsLearn how to use comment labels in PageProof to categorize feedback, organize reviews, filter comments, and streamline creative approval workflows
Zooming
Zoom right into the detail, use shortcut keys, and a marquee zoom tool too.
Magic tools
Discover PageProof's magic tools to review proofs faster, inspect fine detail, compare content, and improve review accuracy and efficiency.
- What is the magic tool?Magic tools are useful tools for proofing: gridlines, ruler, show/hide pins, spell check, barcode scanner, PDF comment import, and more.
- Barcode scannerUse the automatic barcode scanner to easily check barcodes and QR codes on the proof. It’s quick to create a comment too.
- Spell checkLearn how to use PageProof’s built-in spell check to find spelling mistakes, apply suggested corrections, ignore words, and manage your personal dictionary.
- Checking colors using the eyedropper toolColor check lets reviewers verify a color used on the proof, and check the color contrast between two colors according to the WCAG level set
- Text search (find text)Use text search to quickly locate a word or partial word across an entire static proof. All matches will be highlighted. Easily navigate between matches too.
- Link scannerUse the automatic link scanner to easily check internal document links and hyperlinks. It’s quick to create a comment too.
Measuring and scale
Get right into measuring the detail and checking alignment with a ruler, gridlines, and scale.
- How to use the ruler to measure artwork elements on the proofDid you know you have a measuring tool available when reviewing the proof? Tip: Turn on the ruler with the shortcut key ‘-’.
- ScaleWant to change inches to feet? Millimeters to centimeters? Here’s how to change the scale when using the ruler or gridlines.
- How to use gridlines to check alignmentUsing gridlines is perfect for checking the alignment of elements on the proof. You can change the color of the gridlines too.
- How to change the unit of measurementWhen viewing the proof, you can easily change the unit of measurement to inches, millimeters, centimeters, feet, point, and more.
ColorSep®
What is ColorSep®, and how do you use ColorSep® mode to preview color separation plates.
Completing a checklist
If the proof owner has attached a checklist to the proof, here’s how to complete the checklist.
Making a decision
Finished reviewing a proof? Push the green button to let the proof owner know that you’ve finished reviewing and leave a decision.
- Reviewer decisionsReviewers and mandatory reviewers can say “changes please” or “approved” when they have finished reviewing the proof.
- Changing decisionsIf you have found you made the wrong decision on a proof, and the proof is still in proofing, you can change your decision. Here’s how.
- Bulk approving files in a single proofWhen a proof has been created that has many files combined together, you can approve the proof in a single viewing screen. Here’s how.
Downloading & printing
If you need to download the original proof file, or print the proof and its comments, you can. Here’s how.
- Printing a proofNeed a hard copy? Download the proof’s original file and then print it, or click the printer icon to print a rendition of the proof.
- Downloading the proof & attachmentsIt’s easy to download an attachment has been included with a comment on a proof. You can also download the original proof file. Here’s how.
Interactive PDFs
How to view the interactivity of PDF proofs, check hyperlinks etc.
Web proofs
Viewing a website, zipped HTML, prototype designs? Here’s what you need to know.
- Viewing a website or HTML proof?Download our Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge browser extension to ensure you have the best reviewing experience possible
- Adding the PageProof extension to FirefoxThe PageProof extension is used for website proofing. If you are unable to install the PageProof extension to Firefox, here’s what to do.