TS 6485

TS 6485 defines the proofmarks used when correcting text that is to be printed or evaluated. It provides a common technical language for marking revisions so that changes can be read consistently across writing, editing, typesetting, and printing workflows. In practice, these marks help distinguish different kinds of correction such as insertion, deletion, substitution, and reordering without ambiguity.

How proofmarks work in editorial practice

In general technical use, a proofmark is a concise, established symbol or note that indicates how text should be changed. This is especially useful in proof correction, copyediting, and print review, where many small revisions may need to be communicated quickly and accurately. Separate symbols for separate actions matter because an added word, a removed word, and a moved phrase are not the same kind of operation. A shared system reduces reliance on ad hoc notation and supports clearer collaboration.

What this standard covers

The scope of the standard is limited to the marks used for correcting works and texts intended for printing or for comment. It addresses the correction symbols themselves rather than the content workflow or the publishing process as a whole. As a result, TS 6485 is relevant wherever editorial corrections need to be marked in a uniform way, especially in printing, publishing, redaction, and text preparation contexts.