This article contains installation instructions for most versions of Acrobat and PDF-XChange. Scroll down the page to find the set appropriate for the platform you're working with.
NOTE: Rest assured that you don't need advanced technical knowledge to install the stamps. In fact, you don't need any technical knowledge at all! You simply need to be able to follow the instructions as they are given. I've provided a video tutorial for PDF-XChange users. Some of you may find this more user-friendly than the written instructions.
Please follow my instructions to the letter. I've provided installation support to a number of users in recent years. On every occasion, problems occurred for one of the following reasons:
Again, please ensure that you follow the instructions step by step (or screen by screen in the case of the video tutorial) before you contact me to report that you are having problems. Much appreciated!
NOTE: The first step is to DOWNLOAD THE STAMPS, whichever set of instructions your are using.
PDF-XChange Editor 8.0 Instructions correct as of 4 January 2020 and apply to Windows 10, Office 365
PDF-XChange Editor 6.0
My colleague Helen Mortimor has kindly provided the following installation instructions for use with Editor 6.0:
PDF-XChange Editor 3.0
My colleague Steve Hammatt has kindly provided the following installation instructions for use with Editor 3.0:
PDF-XChange Pro and the free Viewer 2.0
One of the main benefits of using PDF-XChange Viewer is that you can import all my stamps in one go. Video tutorial. For those of you who'd like to watch a tutorial of the steps outlined below, here's a video demonstration in which I talk you through the process, step by step, while actually downloading a set of stamps onto my own computer. It's in screencast format, so you can follow exactly how I navigate my way through the installation. NB: This is the squeaky-chair edit, a limited-edition version created especially to provide the feel-good factor for editorial freelancers whose home offices benefit from well-oiled swivel-seating arrangements! Written instructions
* Can't find the AppData folder? If you can't find the folder, the most likely reason is that the Application Data (or AppData) folder (a hidden folder) is invisible on your computer.
Acrobat 9 (Standard and the free Reader)
The first time you do this you’ll have to write in a category (e.g. Red Stamps). When you import a second stamp you can simply select this option. You can also name the stamp if you wish but I didn’t bother, choosing instead to leave the default New Stamp. When you have uploaded all your stamps and are ready to start marking up your document, select Show Stamps Palette from the stamp icon in the ribbon menu and a box will appear. If you have different categories (e.g. Blue Stamps) you can select these from here.
Acrobat <9 (Standard and the free Reader)
The first time you do this you’ll have to type in a category (e.g. Red Stamps). When you import a second stamp you can simply select this option. You can also name the stamp. When you have downloaded all your stamps and are ready to start marking up your document, select the drop-down menu from the stamp icon in the ribbon menu, and the categories you have created will be listed along with the defaults. You can then select the stamp from the category you require.
Acrobat X
My colleague Jenny Macgregor has very kindly put together some instructions for downloading my proofreading stamps into Acrobat X. Here's her advice...
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Tips
Here are a few tips to bear in mind when using stamps. Search the Stamps archive for other useful articles and resources.
Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.
She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a member of ACES, a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and co-hosts The Editing Podcast. Visit her business website at Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader, say hello on Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, connect via Facebook and LinkedIn, and check out her books and courses.
72 Comments
Jenny
5/3/2012 02:02:39 am
This looks like a really useful system - thanks Louise! But I'm on Acrobat X - how soon will the promised instructions be available?
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5/3/2012 02:30:09 am
This may help: http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/stamps-acrobat-x
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Henry Poole
17/5/2015 07:34:07 am
Can I install the stamps for Acrobat eleven?
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Louise Harnby
17/5/2015 08:18:42 am
I can't imagine why not, Henry. It may be that the installation instructions need tweaking a little. I'd recommend following the instructions for version X and seeing how it goes. 5/3/2012 02:24:34 am
Hi Jenny!
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Jenny
6/3/2012 12:30:15 am
Yes, it was quite intuitive - between the website you mentioned, and your own instructions for Acrobat 9, I managed to work it out. Once I get to the end of the current job, and have seen if I have any problems with it, I'll try to put some instructions together.
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6/3/2012 02:07:04 am
Good to hear that you managed it, Jenny. That's kind of you to offer to do some instructions. If you get the time it would be much appreciated - but only when you have the space.
Jenny Macgregor
2/5/2012 08:51:45 am
I have now produced some instructions, as promised - somwhat delayed by an urgent, last-minute job which threw out my scheudule for several weeks, but better late ... Can I email them to you? Then you can post them in whatever way you think fit. They are very non-technical, but might be helpful.
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Jenny Macgregor
2/5/2012 09:09:13 am
Can you send me your email address to send the Word document to? I'm assuming you can see my email address from your end? 2/5/2012 09:24:21 am
I can't see your email address from my admin pages, but here you go!
Virginia CATMUR
4/5/2013 12:21:31 am
Thanks, wonderful. Would just add that you need to restart PDF-Xchange for the new stamps to be visible.
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5/5/2013 12:29:00 am
Virginia, I'm so glad you shared this tip; I couldn't fathom what I was doing wrong. Thanks Louise for sharing these stamps -- they're fabulous!
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Virginia CATMUR
8/5/2013 08:02:58 am
Wonderful tip, to renumber the stamps sequentially - thanks. Virginia
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Soo Hamilton
28/5/2013 12:52:47 pm
Thanks very much for these symbols and the very helpful instructions on how to download them. I've just done so in Acrobat X and may have found an advantage to naming each symbol. Only that if you decide later that you want to delete some symbols (to make room for more frequently used ones higher up your list, then if they are named you know which ones you're deleting, whereas at the moment as mine are all called New Stamp, and I can't see them when I'm deleting, I don't know which one is which to delete. Hope that makes sense, thanks again, Soo
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Louise Harnby
28/5/2013 01:02:43 pm
Hi Soo. Good advice, indeed. I also name my stamps in XChange, but I use numbers rather than words. The reason is that XChange alphabetizes them in the stamps palette and that allows me to sort them by the frequency with which I use them - quite handy when your palette has 70+ stamps! I cover this, very briefly, and a few other useful tips in my article 'Six Tips for Ergonomic PDF Proofreading' available here: http://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/4/post/2012/03/six-tips-for-ergonomic-pdf-proofreading.html. I know this isn't relevant to you but thought I'd add it for the benefit of those reading the comments.
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Emma Cooper
6/8/2013 06:55:17 am
I'm feeling a bit stupid, but having followed the instructions on how to download to PDF XChange, only the first stamp is showing up on the palette. I can't seem to download them as a whole.
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Emma Cooper
6/8/2013 07:20:15 am
I have started downloading them individually but would be very grateful if anyone out there could save me some time. Thank you!
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Louise Harnby
8/8/2013 11:56:24 am
Hi Emma - I'm not quite sure why they aren't all showing up if you've followed the instructions exactly. I reinstalled these on my new pc just the other day, all in one go, with no problem. Try closing and opening PDF XChange to see if all the stamps are showing. Or you can ring me (see the Contact tab) and I'll try to help. Best wishes, Louise 10/9/2013 03:46:15 am
This is a great resource Louise, whether for the author or up-and-coming proofreader (I'm both). I can see why SfEP recommends you. Many thanks
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Louise Harnby
10/9/2013 05:03:39 am
You're most welcome, Rob. Glad to be of help!
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Virginia Catmur
11/10/2013 04:45:18 am
I've had to install PDF-XChange 3.0 on a borrowed laptop and I don't think it works in the same way as v2. I can download the stamps only one at a time!
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Louise Harnby
11/10/2013 04:58:46 am
It's difficult to advise you without any more detail, Virginia. The current version is 5.0.271. Perhaps you could contact Tracker Software and ask them for advice. I'm running an up-to-date version and it works fine. Have you tried using the video tutorial to guide you?
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Louise Harnby
12/10/2013 09:51:48 am
It's difficult to advise you without more details, Virginia. Have you followed the tutorial exactly? I've downloaded them using a recent version of the software with no problems. Where are you saving the downloaded files on your borrowed laptop? And what version of Windows are you using?
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Virginia Catmur
12/10/2013 10:15:58 pm
Thanks very much, Louise. PDF-XChange 3.0 does work in a slightly different way to v2, but I got there!
Virginia Catmur
12/10/2013 10:16:58 pm
Thanks very much, Louise. PDF-XChange 3.0 does work in a slightly different way to v2, but I got there!
Virginia Catmur
12/10/2013 10:20:01 pm
Sorry to have submitted my reply multiple times - but the page said there was an error and to try again! Hope you can delete the duplicates, and sorry about the hassle.
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Louise Harnby
13/10/2013 04:38:01 am
Thanks, Virginia. I was a bit confused as to how you had version 3, when the latest edition of Viewer is 2.5.212. So I did a quick search and I think you're using a different package - PDF XChange Editor. Am I correct? This is indeed in v.3, released in April of this year. All the instructions that I've provided above are for PDF XChange Viewer so it's not surprising that there are subtle differences. Anyway, let me know if my theory is correct!
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Lesley Jones
29/12/2013 07:07:55 am
I hope this isn't a silly question, but having read the instructions for Acrobat X (I'm on XI but it will be the same) - will I have to create the custom stamps for each new document, or will they remain in the custom stamps list permanently?
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Louise Harnby
29/12/2013 08:18:51 am
Hi Lesley - you just need to install once. It wouldn't be worth it if one had to repeat this process every time! As per my comment on your other question, unless you're a Mac user I'd strongly recommend using PDF XChange. Much easier to download the whole lot at once!
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Bethan Thomas
26/5/2014 11:59:10 am
These stamps are fantastic - thank you so much for sharing them!
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9/6/2014 02:50:15 am
Just wanted to say thank you for providing these excellent stamps.
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19/8/2014 08:44:37 am
Hi Louise
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Becky S
8/9/2014 11:13:18 am
Hi Louise,
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Louise Harnby
10/9/2014 03:38:22 am
Not to my knowledge, Becky! I have tried numerous times to get this to work in Acrobat, using the method you outline, but I've had no luck. That was one of the reasons I started using PDF XChange (aside from the fact that it's a whole lot cheaper!).
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Ceruleancat
31/12/2014 08:42:55 pm
Many thanks for these stamps. This should save a lot of time.
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Amelia Nashe
17/1/2015 09:28:45 am
Hi Louise,
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Louise Harnby
17/1/2015 03:49:47 pm
Hi Amelia. Sorry to hear you're having problems. I managed the download using the above instructions for Editor, and it worked as described, so I'm foxed as to what the problem is. Perhaps just check that you are using the instructions for Editor 3.0 above, and not those further up, for the older version. Sorry I can't think of any other solution! Good luck!
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Amelia Nashe
17/1/2015 05:18:48 pm
Thanks for replying so quickly, Louise, I appreciate it. I have indeed double checked the instructions for Editor 3.0, but for some reason when I create a new collection of stamps, it does not create a new folder, and therefore that method doesn't work for me. If it's not to do with my version of XChange, all I can think is it might be to do with Windows 8.1. But to be honest, I've given up trying to work out why - I think importing each mark individually might take less time than trying to fathom the mystery!
Will Walters
22/1/2015 03:42:15 am
Louise, you can find appdata far easier on most (at least xp, vista and 7) Windows computers by typing "%APPDATA%" in the bar at the top of any windows explorer window. It will, on Windows 7, take you to the Roaming folder.
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Des O'Sullivan
12/2/2015 09:18:43 am
Just to confirm: PDF XChange is not for Mac users. Right?
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Louise Harnby
12/2/2015 09:23:29 am
That's correct, Des, unless you have something like Parallels, which allows you to run Windows applications on a Mac.
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1/5/2015 10:18:21 am
Hi
Louise Harnby
1/5/2015 12:48:17 pm
As far as I know, Trish, XChange can't be used on Macs unless you run something like Parallels. Try Acrobat instead.
Richard Hegerty
21/4/2015 01:26:47 pm
Continuing Des's query: I have a brand new MAC running Yosemite - how do I set out to use your marvellous-sounding proofreading marks?
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Louise Harnby
22/4/2015 03:13:05 pm
Hi Richard. Just install them as per the instructions. They are embedded in a PDF so it doesn't matter whether you are on a Mac or PC. Hope that helps!
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Louise Harnby
23/4/2015 09:11:53 am
I don't know, Clare, as I don't use Acrobat any longer. I'd suggest following the instructions for Reader X. It may be that, for the most part, they work in the same way for XI, with just a little tweaking needed. If you work out how to do it, and you'd like to email me with the details, I'll happily post your instructions and credit you accordingly.
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Christine Todd
23/5/2015 09:38:01 am
Just downloaded the stamps. Followed your instructions to the letter - and it was easy!
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Maria
2/10/2015 05:03:09 pm
Dear Louise,
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Louise harnby
3/10/2015 03:50:48 pm
Hi Maria.
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Nicky Handcock
21/2/2017 05:39:43 pm
Hello Louise
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Louise Harnby
22/2/2017 10:03:32 am
Hi Nicky.
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Mandy Brunavs
5/8/2017 03:33:16 pm
Thank you for the stamps, very much appreciated. Instructions really clear which made installing a piece of cake!
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Louise Harnby
17/2/2018 05:59:51 pm
Thanks, Mandy!
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Barnaby De Hoedt
17/2/2018 10:46:58 am
Hi. Are there separate instructions for Acrobat Reader DC? Also I'm confused about the stamps because when I download I get a PDF with one stamp in the top corner of an A4 page per stamp? Thanks
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Louise Harnby
17/2/2018 05:57:56 pm
Hi, Barnaby. The layout of the stamps on the PDF is exactly as it should be. Look at the comment from Nicky above and my reply as to workarounds for installation.
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Libby
22/10/2018 01:29:46 pm
Thanks so much for providing this resource. I am working on a Mac and using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, and cannot see in your instructions how to download the stamps for Mac. Sorry If I am missing something, but hope you can help!
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Louise Harnby
22/10/2018 03:11:39 pm
Hi, Libby. I honestly didn't realize that DC looked different on a Mac. What happened when you followed the instructions above in the section 'Adobe Acrobat Reader DC'? Is the menu completely different? If so, I suggest you join one of the editors Facebook groups (e.g. Editors' Association of Earth) and ask if any Mac-users can point you in the right direction. I also searched on Google and found this, which might help: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/create-custom-dynamicstamp.html, though it implies that the menu is the same (e.g. the Tools tab).
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Carolyn Clarke
14/1/2019 05:38:29 pm
Hi Louise
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Louise Harnby
14/1/2019 05:57:04 pm
I don't use DC, Carolyn. Sorry! I much prefer the more accessible palette in PDF-XChange, which you can edit so that the stamps are arranged as you want them. Might be worth asking Adrienne Montgomerie, who's a DC queen! You can find her on Twitter as @SciEditor and on Facebook using her given name (or maybe you know her already).
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Louise Harnby
28/8/2019 06:50:39 pm
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC would be the logical place to start. I don't have the Pro version but if you notice any discrepancies I'd love to hear about them so I can add the tweaks to the list in the post. Cheers, Thalia.
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Sophie Robbins
13/3/2020 03:44:17 pm
Hi Louise, I've tried and tried but cannot upload your lovely BSI symbols to the stamps in Acrobat X. I've followed your instructions, honestly, I really have, and although the new category shows up, there are no stamps in there. I've signed up to the CIEP intro course to proof reading and now need to start using acrobat for PDFs. Your symbols are recommended but, alas, I'm at a standstill. I hope you can help. PS your website is brilliant.
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Louise Harnby
19/4/2020 01:39:06 am
Hi, Sophie. I'm so sorry but your comment ended being withheld and I've only just found it in the bowels of my system. Did you manage to sort out the problem? Have you tried asking in the CIEP forums to see if anyone else has had a problem? If not, we'll have to schedule a Skype call and do a screen-share.I don't use Acrobat myself but perhaps I might be able to see what's going wrong. Again, so sorry for the tardy reply.
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Rosemary Figg
19/6/2020 06:19:49 pm
This is brilliant Louise, although I'm sure you know that! I'm just starting out with my proofreading training, thanks to Covid Lockdown, and having your symbols readily available is such a help. Thank you so much for sharing!
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Louise Harnby
12/7/2020 09:03:50 pm
You're very welcome, Rosemary!
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Mindy Jameyson
3/8/2020 04:32:31 pm
Hi Louise,
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Louise Harnby
3/8/2020 05:12:20 pm
I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending anything I've not used, Mindy, and since I'm not a Mac user, that leaves me with little of substance to offer! Acrobat is the obvious one, but I'd search on Google for alternatives to Acrobat and then check the spec to see if they're compatible with Mac. Or ask in the Editors Who Talk Tech Facebook group to see which PDF editors Mac users recommend.
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Catherine
14/10/2020 03:22:29 pm
Thank you, Louise. I am doing the PTC proofreading course and just reached the BSI proofreading marks module. I was trying to draw the marks freehand with the PDF drawing tools and failing, then I searched for BSI PDF marks and found yours! So thanks very much, it makes life so much easier :)
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Louise Harnby
15/10/2020 12:35:45 pm
Glad you like them, Catherine!
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