So there you are, standing in the print shop, ready to hand over a job to be printed. It could be hard copy. It could be a digital file that you've created on your PC or your Mac. You're glad to be getting this job off of YOUR desk, because you're behind on it, and you'd just as soon proofread it when the printer sends you a proof. Besides, isn't it easier to read once it's in that nice format? Then you can REALLY see what your job will look like.

In a few days, the printer sends you a proof, maybe a blueline (or Dylux), and asks you to review it carefully, because the next time you see this job, it will be printed and delivered. You take this proof and proceed to pass it through the department. Maybe now is the time when you decide to get your boss' input on it.

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the company gives his two cents to this proof, and by the time you get it back, it has so many editorial comments on it that it's beginning to resemble a ransom note.

Back it goes, changes and all, to the printer. You ask to see another proof. It arrives in a day or so. You bless it (with just a few “minor” corrections), and finally, it's ready to be printed.

The printer delivers the job. You love it. Your boss loves it. Then the invoice shows up, and you spot the charge for AA's.

Before you pick up that phone to call your printer with a “What's the meaning of this” tone in your voice, know this:

Changes that YOU make to a job once you've already given it to a printer can rightfully be charged back to you. Such changes are known as AA's, which stands for Author's Alterations.

On the other hand, if corrections are needed on a job after the printer has it and are attributable to the printer, those will NOT be charged to you. They are known as PE's, or Printer's Errors.

Not every printer will charge for AA's, but be prepared to pay for them. Proofread everything more than once before you give a job to a printer. Have someone else proofread it - every word, every number, every bit of punctuation. If you keyboard it, you own it! Printers are not responsible for proofreading. You are. If you've made mistakes and want to correct them, expect to pay for them.