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Proofreading is a job we enjoy. Our work is intellectually stimulating, and it gives us a unique opportunity to help others.
As proofreaders, we help make other people look their best in writing. But what can we do to ensure we are at our best? Specifically, what can we do to be more productive during the workday?
I’d like to tell you about the proofreading accessories I use to keep my proofreading productivity up to par!
Proofreading Accessories to Boost Your Productivity
1) Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-Cancelling Headphones, Apple Devices (Black)
(For headphones compatible with most Samsung and Android devices, please click here.)
These headphones have been a lifesaver for me.
I bought them several years ago, and they still work like new. Although I love going to public places (coffee shops, bookstores, etc.) to proofread, I don’t love when the noise gets to be too much.
If the conversation at a nearby table overpowers all the other chats, I have trouble concentrating, and my productivity plummets. This is when I reach for my headphones.
They’re also fabulous to use on airplanes—whether you’re working or not.
They especially helped me during the pandemic when I had to work from home, and one of my roommates did too. We live in a small apartment with thin walls, so I definitely got a good return on my investment.
I say investment because they’re not cheap. It’s been worth it to me to pay the high price for premium-quality headphones, but I certainly understand if they’re not something you want to spring for.
You can buy the headphones that are compatible with Apple devices on Amazon.
A More Budget-Friendly Option
I did some research to come up with a less expensive alternative.
Although I’ve never tried them, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (black) seem to combine affordability with decent quality.
They’re available in black, blue, and silver. If you decide to give these a whirl, I hope they work well!
2) Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow (Black)
Unless you happen to own a standing desk, you probably proofread sitting down. And if you’re like me, you may experience back pain from time to time. Trying to be a productive proofreader while putting up with pain isn’t pleasant!
To help alleviate the discomfort, I use this ergonomically designed support pillow.
It’s made from 100% premium memory foam, and you can attach it anywhere to the back of a chair or seat to give you support where you need it most (lower, middle, or upper back).
It has a couple of adjustable straps so that it stays in place. It comes in five colors:
- black
- blue
- gray
- navy blue
- red
I like that it’s neither too firm nor too soft (for my taste). It also keeps my back cool and dry thanks to its hypoallergenic mesh cover, which is machine washable.
Finally, Everlasting Comfort offers a lifetime replacement policy for this cushion. Here’s to being kind to our backs while doing the work we love!
You can purchase this support pillow on Amazon.
3) LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp (Sand Black)
I’m a big fan of my desk lamp.
Although this isn’t the model I own, it’s comparable.
I prefer to work using natural light, but at night, I appreciate the illumination from my lamp. I feel I’m far more productive when I can actually see what I’m doing. 😉
My favorite part of this lamp is its gooseneck, which allows me to adjust it to just the right angle. If I want a bit less light, I angle the head away from me slightly. As you can see, I’m not looking for fancy—just functional. And who doesn’t love the word gooseneck?
It comes in six colors:
- sand black (not-as-black, black)
- black (jet black)
- silver
- white
- bronze
- gold
You can buy this lamp on Amazon.
4) Pilot Precise P-500 Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pens, Extra-Fine Point, Black Ink (12 pens)
As a proofreader, I’m continually writing—writing down deadlines, making notes in my reference books, jotting down any special instructions pertaining to a particular proofreading job, etc.
And I have to say that I’m a bit picky about my pens. I’m not willing to pay for a fancy fountain pen, but I’m not too fond of pens that don’t write well.
I like to write in black ink with pens that have an extra-fine point. I don’t know why I’m so particular about my pens; I’m pretty laid back about everything else, lol!
I’ve gone through many pens to find just the write right ones. These Pilot pens are perfect! They write smoothly, and the lines they produce aren’t too thick.
You can buy this pack of pens on Amazon.
5) Tombow Correction Tape (10 units)
I can’t have my lovely black pens without some correction tape for my mistakes.
We proofreaders are often perfectionists, and if you’re like me, the look of scribbled-out words on your pages isn’t appealing.
This whiteout solves the problem! It’s smooth and easy to use.
You can purchase this pack of correction tape on Amazon.
6) Post-it Flags Assorted Color Combo Pack (320 flags)
In addition to jotting down notes in my proofreading reference books, I use sticky flags to quickly find pages I refer to often.
In The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), I’ve put a flag at the start of each chapter that I frequently reference.
On the top of each flag, I’ve taken one of my fine-point black Sharpies and drawn a punctuation mark, word, or symbol to show me what each chapter is about. An online version of CMOS is available, but I like having the book.
Using these sticky flags to find information quickly is just one strategy I use to increase my proofreading pace. If you’d like to know about other tactics I use, feel free to read my article “13 Practical Tips to Proofread Faster (Especially for Pros).”
A pack of these flags is available for purchase on Amazon.
7) Post-it Super Sticky Notes, Assorted Sizes (15 notepads)
Sticky notes are another little item that I always have around. I mainly use them to write down deadlines, specifics about a certain job, and anything that pops into my head that I need to do, even if it has nothing to do with proofreading.
Being able to write down any random thoughts ensures I won’t forget them. That way, I don’t have to keep those thoughts in mind, and I can give my full attention to being on error patrol.
A pack of these sticky notes is available for purchase on Amazon.
I hope this post has provided you with products that will help you be a more productive proofreader!
If you’ve enjoyed this article, you may want to read my post about proofreading strategies. It has several suggestions for boosting your productivity!
Best wishes to you!
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
