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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. But what can we do to stay productive and perform at our best during the workday?
We can take advantage of the right proofreading accessories to improve our concentration, comfort, and efficiency during long editing sessions.
Here are the accessories I use to stay focused and organized while proofreading!
Proofreading Accessories to Boost Your Productivity
1) Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-Canceling Headphones, Apple Devices (Black)
These headphones have been a lifesaver for me.
I bought them many 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 it 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 lived 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 find Bose headphones for Apple devices here and ones for Samsung and Android devices here.
A More Budget-Friendly Option
I did some digging to find a more budget-friendly option.
Although I haven’t tried them personally, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones (black) seem to strike a good balance between affordability and decent quality.
They’re available in black, blue, silver, and pink. 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 high-density memory foam, and you can attach it anywhere on the back of a chair or seat to provide support where you need it most (lower, middle, or upper back). It has a couple of adjustable straps so that it stays in place.
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 machine-washable, breathable mesh cover.
Here’s to being kind to our backs while doing the work we love!
You can see the lumbar 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 efficient when I can actually see what I’m doing. 😉
My favorite part of this lamp is its gooseneck, which lets me adjust it to the perfect angle. If I want a bit less light, I angle the head slightly away from me. As you can see, I’m not looking for fancy—just functional. And who doesn’t love the word gooseneck?
It comes in these colors:
- sandy black (not-as-black, black)
- black (jet black)
- white
- green
- gold
- silver
- bronze
You can check out the desk 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 write inconsistently.
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!
I’ve gone through many pens to find just the right ones. These Pilot pens are perfect! They write smoothly, and the lines they produce aren’t too thick.
These Pilot pens are my favorites.
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.
This is the correction tape I like to use.
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).”
Here are the Post-it flags I prefer.
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.
Writing down random thoughts helps ensure 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. 😊
You can get the sticky notes on Amazon.
I hope these accessories help make your proofreading sessions more productive and enjoyable!
If you’ve enjoyed this article, you may want to read my post about proofreading strategies.
Best wishes to you!
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
