The Difference Between An Editor & Proofreader

What is the difference between an Editor and a Proofreader?

Copy-editor

Works largely in the realm of books and journals. Reads an author’s text and corrects the grammar, spelling, sentence structure, logical sequencing. But also checks the text for factual accuracy, or at least factual discrepancies. Finally, applies a veneer of consistency throughout the text.

Proofreader

After copy-editing or subediting, the text goes to a designer or a typesetter to be laid out into pages. Once laid out, or typeset, the text (with or without illustrations) has to be proofread (usually against the edited text or a previous typeset version) to remove errors. This is the work of a proofreader, not a copy-editor.