Proofreading is best for manuscripts that have completed all other editing stages and are in their final, formatted form, needing only a last review to catch any remaining typos, formatting inconsistencies, or minor errors that may have been introduced during the typesetting process.

This editing stage is ideal for authors whose manuscripts are publication-ready and have already undergone copyediting, focusing exclusively on surface-level corrections like missed punctuation marks, spacing issues, incorrect page numbers, or formatting glitches that occurred during layout.

Proofreading proves essential as the absolute final step before publication, particularly crucial for print books where errors cannot be easily corrected after printing and for professional publications where even minor mistakes can undermine credibility.

It's perfect for self-publishing authors who have completed their book design and formatting, traditionally published authors reviewing final galleys or page proofs, and anyone who needs that final layer of quality assurance to ensure their finished product is polished and error-free.