Bring your own red pen. The Platonic ideal of proofreading is that no equipment would be required; only a critical mind. The client is supposed to supply a red pen: most do. However, many clients will offer red pens which are nearly out of ink, or which are broken, or which will not mark on the laser-toner-covered reverse-type page proofs which will be presented for inspection.
Black-lead pencils and color markers are for production artists or editors; red ink is for proofreaders. Note well. Beware of firms which do not reserve red marks for proofreading: it is a sign of other, nonstandard practices — remember that departures from standards always inure to the detriment of the proofreader.
Be on the safe side: bring also, an opaque marker — white or silver — for laser-toner-covered reverse-type page proofs.
Removable, adhesive “sticky notes,” e.g., Post-It® notes. Everybody will hate them, because they fall off; but — as long as clients insist upon page proofs which offer no places to make proofreader’s marks — you will need them to communicate with the next person in the process.
Magnifying glass — Use the kind that sits on top of the proof; not the kind with a handle. Your arms will tire from holding a magnifying glass over the proof.
Ruler — Sooner or later you will want to see whether everything is on the same line. The ruler should be wider than U. S. letter-size or A4 paper. 18 inches or 50 centimeters is good. A printer’s pica pole would be ideal.
A lamp with a long extension cord — Proofreaders are always put in the darkest place on the premises. Think that’s accidental?
Pre-moistened towelettes — Your hands will get dirty. The lavatory will always be an inconvenient distance from the place where you do your job.
