All About Proofing!

Our artists at BerylMartin rely heavily on the art and text proofs we send and receive on our memorial programs. While we do our best to follow your instructions, fix common spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure all information is correct, sometimes a photo is placed in the wrong spot or there’s a name spelled wrong in the obituary. This is where your proofing process comes in!

We offer complimentary text proofs to all our funeral homes; art proofs are available at an additional charge. A text proof shows you the text of your tribute only, in black on a white background. This proof allows you to check for content placement and accuracy, including all spelling, dates, poem selections, and personal information. With an art proof, which shows you the exact full-color artwork that will be printed, you should carefully check for all of the above as well as photo placement and design elements.

Here are some key things to look for when proofreading:

• Full name of the deceased, including any nicknames, is spelled correctly
• Dates of birth and passing are correct, and that the dates on the cover match any dates mentioned in the obituary, where applicable
• Names and numbers of loved ones are correct and consistent, i.e., if the obituary says “six grandchildren” but only lists names of five grandchildren

If you are reviewing an art proof, please also check for:

• All photos that should appear in the tribute
• Any specific photo placements you requested at the time of ordering
• Design theme selection and color, as well as any design elements you requested to add or remove

We strive to send out all our proofs within a timely manner, and we ask that you review and respond to your proof within 30 to 60 minutes after you receive it. This allows us time to make any corrections necessary and to send you a revised proof if requested. In order to guarantee same-day shipping of your order, we need all proofs returned with final approvals by 5:00pm CST. Proofs that are not approved for production by 5:00pm will be delayed to the next business day. While we understand you may sometimes encounter circumstances that disrupt this process, we appreciate you letting our Customer Service team know if you encounter a delay, need help using our proofing tool, or can move your order to the next production day.

If you need to make a change to your order, such as increase a quantity, add or remove a product, select a different design, or adjust the shipping date, please do NOT use the proofing tool comments to notify us of these changes. Contact your Customer Service representative directly via phone or email in order to help us serve you quickly and accurately.

Providing the best quality funeral programs for your families is a team effort between us and you. We hope that these proofreading tips help you make the most of your proofs going forward!