Proofreading vs. Editing

Several posts on typos and proofreading appear in the pages of A Writer's Edge. In none of them have I delineated exactly what I think is included in a good proofreading. If you think of it in terms of "typos", i.e., typographical errors, then proofreading involves finding mistakes in the printing in front of you. Generally, I think, this includes spelling, punctuation, capitalization. Gross errors such as numbering mistakes and pointing to an incorrect reference would seem to fit.

I was not surprised to find that other editors have different definitions and inclusions. For example, the Bay Area Editors' Forum does not even show "proofreading" as a service; however, the Services Guide lists:

Light Copyediting (baseline editing)

* Correcting faulty spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
* Correcting incorrect usage (such as can for may).
* Checking specific cross-references (for example, "As Table 14-6 shows...").
* Ensuring consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization.
* Checking for proper sequencing (such as alphabetical order) in lists and other displayed material.
* Recording the first references to figures, tables, and other display elements.

Whereas the San Diego Professional Editors' Network lists it as a separate service more oriented toward publishers' needs:

Proofreading

Proofreaders comparing typeset copy to a copyedited manuscript to find typographical errors, discrepancies in text, and other problems in page makeup, layout, color separation, or type. They read for typographical errors or for sense without reading against copy, and they point out or correct errors or inconsistencies that escaped previous detection.

No wonder clients are confused and often ask for something different from what the writing needs! It is difficult to know what term to use.

For me, it's a "what you see is what you get" sort of deal and requires following a style guide for consistency. I have a current client who also wants me to watch for repetitions (words, phrases, constructions) as well as the other elements, but doesn't consider this editing. I shrug, do the work as the client wishes (indeed the copy does not need any other editing) and charge a little more for the extra service. It doesn't matter what the work is called, what is important is that it is accomplished before the ad, article, story, book goes to "press".