◆ Photoshop · retouch

Proofread Pages For Errors

Before plates, prepare the pages so the typesetter and reviewer can sign off quickly—highlight any changed words, add …

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See the prompt↓More retouch workflows

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
BImprove — “do it better”Before plates, prepare the pages so the typesetter and reviewer can sign off quickly—highlight…+
Before plates, prepare the pages so the typesetter and reviewer can sign off quickly—highlight any changed words, add a one-line comment explaining each correction, embed a copy of the corrected text in a separate layer, and generate a checklist of pages with unresolved font or wrap issues.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
Smart Objects

Smart Objects preserve an image's source content with all its original characteristics, enabling non-destructive editing.

  1. 1

    Select one or more layers in the Layers panel.

  2. 2

    Choose Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.

    NoteThis embeds the selected layers into a new Smart Object.

  3. 3

    Alternatively, right-click the selected layer(s) and choose Convert to Smart Object.

  4. 4

    To place a new file as a Smart Object, choose File > Place Embedded.

  5. 5

    Select the desired file and click Place.

  6. 6

    To edit a Smart Object, double-click its thumbnail in the Layers panel.

    NoteThis opens the Smart Object's content in a new window.

  7. 7

    Make your desired edits to the content in the new window.

  8. 8

    Choose File > Save to apply changes to the Smart Object.

    Best practiceUsing Smart Objects from the start saves edits and time by preserving original image data.

  9. 9

    Close the Smart Object window to return to your main document.

Smart Objects allow you to apply transformations, filters, and other edits non-destructively, always preserving the original image data.

Photoshop's scripting capabilities can automate the creation and placement of Smart Objects, especially for templated workflows.

Glossary

words on this page
Convert to Smart ObjectEmbeds layer content as a non-destructive object, allowing scalable transformations without losing quality.ExampleYou Convert to Smart Object before resizing a logo multiple times to avoid pixelation.
Place EmbeddedTo insert an image file directly into the current document, making it part of the file.ExampleYou insert a client's image directly into your poster design, making it part of the file.
Healing BrushA tool used to correct imperfections in an image by sampling surrounding pixels and blending them.ExampleYou use the Healing Brush to effortlessly remove a small blemish from a portrait by sampling nearby skin.
Smart ObjectsLayers that contain raster or vector image data, preserving source content with all its original characteristics.ExampleScaling a Smart Object up and down multiple times won't degrade its image quality.
Brush ToolPaints custom strokes of color or applies adjustments directly onto an image or mask.ExampleYou can use the brush tool to paint a red stripe across a white background.

The real tasks

1 of them
Check every page for missing or corrupted text and correct obvious spelling or layout errors before it goes to plates.

Who does this

1 roles
Prepress Technician

Questions people actually ask

with the jobs and tasks they touch

Use the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush tool to carefully paint over the support arm. Work on a new layer for non-destructive editing.

By sampling nearby areas, you can blend over the arm, making it look smooth. Zoom in for precision, especially if the background is complex.

Before finalizing a brochure layout, especially if the support arm distracts from the product. It’s often needed after the initial shoot if the arm is visible.

Use the Healing Brush with careful sampling of nearby textures, and work slowly. Keep the original image on a separate layer to try different methods without losing quality.

Over-smoothing or over-sampling, which can create unnatural patches or blur the background. Always compare with the original to keep textures consistent.

An Industrial Designer might do this during post-production to present a clean, appealing image of the final product.

see alsoIndustrial Designer →

AI tools can quickly eliminate simple objects like support arms, but they might struggle with complex backgrounds or detailed textures. Manual touch-up in Photoshop remains essential.

Yes, it involves retouching techniques like healing and cloning, which are also used in Restoring Archival Photos and Cleaning Behind Subjects.