It’s the Final Countdown! Proof Like a Pro Before You Go
You’ve poured months of work into your school yearbook—gathered stories, designed pages, and hunted down every last photo. Now it’s time for the final step before sending it to print: proofing. It’s not the flashiest part of the process, but it is one of the most important.
To make it easier (and a little more fun), here are our best tips and tricks to help you catch those sneaky errors and make sure your book is polished and press-ready:
1. Slow Down & Zoom In
We get it—you’ve looked at these pages a million times. That’s why it’s key to slow down, zoom in, and pretend you’re seeing it all for the first time. Try reading text out loud or reviewing pages in a different order to keep your brain alert.
2. Grab a Fresh Set of Eyes
Invite someone outside your school yearbook team to do a quick proof pass. They’ll catch things your team might miss—like a floating caption, a misaligned photo, or a misspelled name (more on that below).
3. Use a Proofing Checklist
Create a simple checklist to review every page. Here are a few things to include:
Are all names spelled correctly?
Are fonts and styles consistent?
Are photos properly aligned and high-res? Reference your portrait proof sheet. Click HERE to learn more and how to use it.
Do captions match the photos?
Is every spread labeled with the correct page number?
Most Commonly Misspelled Words in Yearbooks (And How to Avoid Them)
Even the best editors get tripped up sometimes. These are the usual suspects:
1. Student & Staff Names
This is the #1 issue across all schools.
Even familiar names can be misspelled—so always double-check against official rosters or class lists. Click HERE to see a list of 10 common errors often missed.
Watch for:
Nicknames instead of legal names
Hyphenated or double-barrelled names
Spelling variations (Kaitlyn vs. Katelyn)
2. Common English Words That Trip People Up
Definitely (often “definately”)
Separate (not “seperate”)
Embarrass (yep, it has two “r”s and two “s”s)
Occasion (just one “s”)
Committee (double “m,” double “t”)
Achievement (not “acheivement”)
Pro tip: Run your text through a spell-check tool after it’s finalized. And don’t forget to check your headlines and pull quotes—they’re the sneakiest spots for typos. You can also request a digital proof of your book at any time. Click HERE to see how.
4. Fact-Check Like a Detective
Make sure sports scores, club names, event dates, and grade levels are all accurate. You don’t want the tennis team winning state twice by accident—or not at all.
5. Take Breaks (Seriously)
Proofing is brain work. Take a break after a few pages, grab a snack, and come back with fresh eyes. You’ll be amazed at what you catch the second time around.
🎉 Bonus Tip: Celebrate the Finish Line 🎉
Proofing means you’re so close to being done—so plan a little celebration when it’s all approved! Your team deserves it.
Remember, proofing isn’t just about catching typos—it’s about honoring all the stories you’ve worked so hard to tell. So take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t forget to high-five your team when that “Approved for Print” button gets clicked.