Installation Instructions for Proofreading Stamps (Digital Proofreading Marks)

Installation instructions for proofreading stamps

8/1/2012

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.

Use the right instructions!

I've updated this post several times since it was first written in 2012 as new versions of software have been released.

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:

the user hadn't actually followed the instructions at all but had carried out what he or she thought were the logical steps
the user had only partially implemented the instructions (perhaps skimming the written instructions or video tutorial, or paying attention only to the early steps in the process) and then made incorrect assumptions about the later steps
the user tried to install the stamps using the wrong set of instructions (e.g. a set that relates to a different PDF editor or version thereof). Scroll down the article to find the relevant set.

Again, please ensure that you follow the instructions step by step before you contact me to report that you're having problems. If you do need to contact me, please tell me the following:

Which operating system you’re using
Which PDF editor you’re using
Which instructions you followed from those offered in this article
Where you came unstuck

NOTE: The first step is to DOWNLOAD THE STAMPS, whichever set of instructions your are using.

DOWNLOAD STAMPS

PDF-XChange Editor 8.0

Instructions correct as of 4 January 2020 and apply to Windows 10, Office 365

Download the stamps collection (red, blue and black are available) and save anywhere you like.
Open PDF-Xchange Editor.
Type “stamp” into the search box at the top of the screen and select STAMPS PALETTE from the drop-down menu.
Select ADD NEW.
Select ADD NEW STAMP FROM FILE. This will open up a new window.
Now select the PDF of the stamps collection you just downloaded (e.g. red).
To add the collection, scroll down and click on the ADD NEW button located on the right of the Target Collection box).
Give the collection a name (e.g. Red Stamps).
Click OK.
Now explore the Stamps Palette window above – your new collection should be visible. Use ZOOM IN and ZOOM OUT buttons to get the layout you want.
Right-click on an individual stamp to rename it. I recommend using numbers (read this article on reorganizing your stamps palette).

PDF-XChange Editor 6.0

My colleague Helen Mortimor has kindly provided the following installation instructions for use with Editor 6.0:

Download the stamps Open Roundup: PDF Proofreading Stamps (quick-access links) to your This PC > Documents folder. Make a note of which file is which colour.
Download Editor 6.0 here.
Open any PDF.
Go into Tools > Comment and Markup Tools > Stamp Tool > Stamps Palette.
Click on the 'Add New Stamp from File' icon, which looks like an open folder.
Click on the folder icon to the right of the 'Name' field and select a stamp folder from your documents folder.
Click on 'All pages'.
Give the stamps a title in ‘New title’ (I think this is where you could select a page at a time and re-name each stamp with numbers).
Click the 'Add New' button at bottom right, and give the new collection a name (e.g. 'Red Proofreading Stamps').
Click OK.
Your stamps should install. Repeat from Step 3 for the rest of the collection.

PDF-XChange Editor 3.0

My colleague Steve Hammatt has kindly provided the following installation instructions for use with Editor 3.0:

Go into Tools > Comment and Markup Tools > Stamps Palette.
Click on the 'Add New Stamp from File' icon, which looks like an open folder.
Click on the folder icon to the right of the 'Name' field and select any PDF from your computer.
Click the 'Add New' button at bottom right, and give the new collection a name (e.g. 'Red Proofreading Stamps'). Doing this will have automatically created the folder you will need. In Windows XP this should be: C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Tracker Software\PDFXEditor\3.0\Stamps. In Windows 8, 7 and Vista it should be: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Tracker Software\PDFXEditor\3.0\Stamps.
Navigate to that folder; delete the file to leave the folder empty.
a) Open Roundup: PDF Proofreading Stamps (quick-access links). b) Scroll through and click on, and open, the version of the XChange stamps file you want. (Don't worry if you can only see one stamp on the front page. This is as it should be.) Save the downloaded file in the folder you have just created.
Close Editor and re-open it. You should see a full set of stamps available for use in the Stamps Palette.
For each separate file you choose (different colour options or additional sets of stamps) you will need to repeat Step 6b.

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.

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

Download PDF-XChange and install it on your computer.
Create a special folder for your stamps. To do this:
a) Open PDF-XChange, select Tools from the top menu, then Comment And Markup Tools, then Show Stamps Palette.
b) Click on 'New ...' to create a New Collection.
c) Then click on 'From PDF ...' and use this to copy any PDF you like from anywhere you like in your computer.
You should now see a New Collection with that PDF in it. Doing this will have automatically created the folder you will need. In Windows XP this should be: C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Tracker Software\PDF- XChange Viewer\2.0\Stamps. In Windows 10, 8, 7 and Vista it should be: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Tracker Software\PDF-XChange Viewer\2.0\Stamps.
Navigate to that folder,* select the copied PDF (it will have a weird number – don't worry) and delete it, leaving the folder empty.
a) Open Roundup: PDF Proofreading Stamps (quick-access links).
b) Scroll through and click on, and open, the version of the XChange stamps file you want. (Don't worry if you can only see one stamp on the front page. This is as it should be.) Save the downloaded file in the folder you have just created.
Close PDF-XChange and re-open it. You should see a full set of stamps available for use in the Stamps Palette.
For each separate file you choose (different colour options or additional sets of stamps) you will need to repeat Step 4b.

* 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.

To show it in Windows XP, go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Show Hidden files and folders.
For Windows 7 and Vista, go to the Windows icon in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen and search for 'show hidden files and folders'. Click on this and look down for the Hidden Files and Folders icon. Then check the button labelled 'Show hidden files, folders and drives'. Select OK. Now you should be able to save the XChange files in the correct place, enabling them to appear in the palette.
For Windows 8, follow the instructions in this tutorial from bleepingcomputer.com: How to see hidden files in Windows 8.

Acrobat 9 (Standard and the free Reader)

Open any PDF.
Select the stamp icon from the Comment and Markup Toolbar (this ribbon should show up at the top of the page) and click on the drop-down menu.
Select Create Custom Stamp.
Click on the Browse button and select the location of the PDF stamps file (e.g. Red Stamps).
Each stamp will appear on a separate page. Use the scroll bar to select the stamp you wish to upload.
Click Import.
Click OK.

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)

Open any PDF (If the stamp icon isn't on display in the toolbar select the Commenting Toolbar by choosing View, Toolbars, Commenting from the menu).
Go to the stamp icon on the top ribbon menu and click on the drop-down menu.
Select Create Custom Stamp.
Click on the Select button and then the Browse button to select the location of the PDF stamps file (e.g. Red Stamps).
Each stamp should appear on a separate page. Use the scroll bar to select the stamp you wish to create.
Click OK.

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...

Download the stamps from this website, whichever colours you use, and save somewhere convenient. At this point I recommend making a list on paper of the number of each stamp, and what it is (it varies between colours). This is worth the few minutes it takes, and is invaluable later on in the process.
Open the PDF you are proofreading. In the bar across the top, click on Comment, as you would normally do to start marking up, then open Annotations, if it is not already open.
Click on the stamp icon (it takes a few seconds for a grey box to open), then click on Custom Stamps and, from the box which pops up next to it, Create Custom Stamps.
The Select Image for Custom Stamp window will open with a browse facility. Use that to find the stamps you have saved earlier, starting with whichever colour you are likely to use most.
At this stage you will need the paper you have marked all the symbols on: use it to choose which you are most likely to need, and then use the number and the slider on the right-hand side of the box to locate the first symbol you want to install. You need the number because the images in the box are too small to distinguish easily. Click OK.
A new box opens; in the category box, type in the colour, i.e. red stamps/black stamps/blue stamps. I haven’t found any benefit in giving a name to each stamp, so just leave it as New Stamp. Then click OK. The box disappears.
Repeat this with any other symbols you are certain to need, and any other colours. After the first one in each category, the category name (red stamps, etc.) appears in a drop-down box to be selected, which saves time.
Once you start the proofread, if you want to add a stamp to the PDF, click on the stamp symbol, and the grey box opens as before, but now it will have the categories of stamps you have installed, i.e. red stamps, black stamps, etc. Click on the colour you want to use and another grey box will open with the symbols in it. Click on the symbol you want to use, and it will ‘ghost’ onto the PDF you are proofing. Move it to where you want it and then click, which will attach it to the PDF. That’s it!
The last stamp you used can be added to/removed from a favourites list – favourites appear in the first grey box to open, and can be selected from it, which saves some time.
At any time during the proofread, if you find you need a stamp you haven’t already installed, repeat steps 3–6, using your paper list to find the appropriate stamp number.
To keep the stamps palette open, click on the stamp symbol, and when the grey box opens click on Show Stamps Palette.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Instructions correct as of 5 December 2021

Open any PDF.
Click on the Tools tab in the ribbon.
Click on the Stamps icon. The Custom Stamps icon will now appear in the ribbon.
Select Create from the Custom Stamps drop-down menu.
Click on the Browse button to select the location of the PDF stamps file (e.g. Red Stamps).
Each stamp should appear on a separate page. Use the scroll bar to select the stamp you wish to create.
Fill in the Category (e.g. Red stamps). You can re-use this for the second stamp you add.
Give the stamp a name (e.g. '1' or 'delete').
Click on OK.
Use the Stamps Palette icon in the ribbon to access your symbols (remember to select the relevant category).

Tips

Here are a few tips to bear in mind when using stamps. Search the Stamps archive for other useful articles and resources.

Remember to keep your stamps palette open when you are working in both Acrobat or XChange; it will save you time when selecting each stamp you want to use.
In XChange you can minimize the size of the symbols as they appear in the palette. This enables you to see a greater number of stamps while you are working without having to scroll up and down the palette (see the highlighted circle on the screenshot below).
In XChange, number similar stamps sequentially so that they appear in a logical order. This will make it easier to find the stamp you need, particularly if each palette contains a lot of symbols (see screenshot below).
It's useful to keep your palettes of different-coloured stamps separate so that the palettes don't become overly cluttered. Again, this will enable you to locate the stamp you need more efficiently.

PDF-XChange Viewer: screenshot of minimizing tool and stamps palette.

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.

Get in touch: Louise Harnby | Fiction Editor & Proofreader
Connect: Twitter at @LouiseHarnby, Facebook and LinkedIn
Learn: Books and courses
Discover: Resources for authors and editors

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?

Louise Harnby | Proofreader link

5/3/2012 02:30:09 am

This may help: http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/stamps-acrobat-x

Henry Poole

17/5/2015 07:34:07 am

Can I install the stamps for Acrobat eleven?

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!

When some kind soul who uses the stamps and has Acrobat X compiles them! I only have 9 and I now use XChange Viewer. A colleague is on a promise to do this but he's very busy at the moment with more pressing matters, so unfortunately we may have to wait a while.

It may be that installing them in X isn't much different from 9. Give it a try and let us know how you get on. These things are often quite intuitive!

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.

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.
Louise

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.

2/5/2012 08:54:48 am

Thanks so much, Jenny! Yes, please do!

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!
[email protected]

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.

Wendy Monaghan link

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!

8/5/2013 08:02:58 am

Wonderful tip, to renumber the stamps sequentially - thanks. Virginia

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

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.
Glad you're finding them useful, Soo!

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.

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!

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

Hilary Cadman link

2/9/2013 10:19:18 pm

Thanks Louise, what a fantastic resource!

Rob Keeley link

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

10/9/2013 05:03:39 am

You're most welcome, Rob. Glad to be of help!

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!

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?

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?

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!
These are the differences:
2.a) You will need to open a document before accessing the Stamps palette.
2.b) Click on the Folder icon (as you hover over it, the rubric 'Add new stamp from file...' appears).
2.c) Navigate to one of your own PDFs and click on it. Give it a name, then close PDF-XChange (otherwise you won't be able to delete it, as required in step 3). You should now see a (renamed) new collection with that PDF in it. Doing this will have automatically created the folder you will need. In Windows 7 it should be: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Tracker Software\PDF-XChange Viewer\3.0\Stamps.
5. Re-open PDF-XChange.

12/10/2013 10:16:58 pm

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.

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!

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?

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!

Bethan Thomas

26/5/2014 11:59:10 am

These stamps are fantastic - thank you so much for sharing them!

Laura Dowers link

9/6/2014 02:50:15 am

Just wanted to say thank you for providing these excellent stamps.

Natalie Murray link

19/8/2014 08:44:37 am

Hi Louise

I've just installed these very quickly and easily following the video tutorial. Thanks very much for the stamps and instructions!!

Natalie

Becky S

8/9/2014 11:13:18 am

Hi Louise,

Firstly, thanks for providing such a useful resource! I was wondering, however, if there might be a way of importing multiple stamps into Acrobat all in one go rather than one at a time? If you already have all your stamps already set up in Acrobat, then presumably there is a folder on your computer that contains these, complete with funy filenames (mine's at C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\11.0\Stamps). Might it work if you were to copy these files and make them available to another user to paste into their stamps folder? Just a thought.

Thanks,
Becky

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!).

Ceruleancat

31/12/2014 08:42:55 pm

Many thanks for these stamps. This should save a lot of time.

Amelia Nashe

17/1/2015 09:28:45 am

Hi Louise,

I have just tried downloading your wonderful BSI stamps for the second time, on a new laptop, with the freshly installed free version of PDF XChange Editor, and I simply cannot get the software to recognise the multipage document as more than one stamp. I have followed your instructions to the letter, and, despite the fact that it worked on my old laptop, with a slightly older version of the software, it will not allow me to import more than one mark at once.

As far as I can work out, this must be down to the way in which stamps are saved in the new version of XChange. When I manually searched for the correct folder in which to save the stamps, I discovered that the software had not created a separate folder for the new collection, despite me telling it to create a new collection (with a randomly chosen PDF file in it) called "Red BSI marks". Instead, the title intended for the collection appeared as the title of the PDF file I had imported as a stamp. If I delete the file, I delete the collection, and if I manually save the downloaded sets of stamps in the "Stamps" folder, they do not appear in the stamp palette at all.

I am slightly despairing of finding a solution, and I am not expecting you to come up with one, but I thought people should know that they will no longer be able to import multiple stamps at once with the new version of XChange. If I find a way to avoid importing each BSI mark individually, I will post another comment; otherwise, it's 1 mark down, 335 to go :(.

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!

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.

Des O'Sullivan

12/2/2015 09:18:43 am

Just to confirm: PDF XChange is not for Mac users. Right?
Thanks.

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.

Trish Burrow link

1/5/2015 10:18:21 am

Hi
I have Windows for Mac 2011. Can I use PDF XChange with that? I can't seem to download it to my MacBook.
Many thanks
Trish

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?
If it costs - it costs, within reason.
Richard

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!

Clare link

23/4/2015 08:47:31 am

Hi - do any of these instructions work for Acrobat Reader XI? I'm a complete novice at this (just doing first course with SfEP).
Thank you for your help!

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.

Christine Todd

23/5/2015 09:38:01 am

Just downloaded the stamps. Followed your instructions to the letter - and it was easy!

Maria

2/10/2015 05:03:09 pm

Dear Louise,

Thanks for putting so much time and effort into this, but I'm afraid I'm falling at the first hurdle - when I click to download the XChange Viewer onto my computer, all that appears is a folder on my desktop which contains a PDF saying 'Have you purchased PDF XChange Viewer Pro?' and then gives me a link to click to get PDF Xchange Viewer 4 Lite *if* I already have the XChange Viewer Pro - the link from tracker software.com doesn't seem in itself to be giving me the opportunity to install anything. Is the X-CHange viewer download offered on the assumption that one has already purchased something? My apologies if I am missing something here - but I have followed your instructions via the video as far as I've got.

Best wishes.

Louise harnby

3/10/2015 03:50:48 pm

Hi Maria.

If you're struggling to download PDF XChange you need to talk to the folks at Tracker Software (in the same way that if you were struggling to download Acrobat Pro or Reader you'd need to deal direct with Adobe). I don't offer downloads for this software on my site. I'm just offering a tool that you can use within it.

Nicky Handcock

21/2/2017 05:39:43 pm

Hello Louise
My version of Acrobat seems to be called Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Version 1.5 (Acrobat 6.x) so I am a bit confused as to which set of instructions I should follow to download your stamps.
Any advice would be very welcome.
Many thanks.
Nicky Handcock

22/2/2017 10:03:32 am

Hi Nicky.

I don't use DC myself so I'm not au fait with whether the installation instructions for earlier versions of Reader would work or whether they'd need tweaking. I quickly looked this up online and it appears that the folder the downloaded stamps need to be saved in is C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Stamps. Then you can open your PDF in DC, click on Stamps Palette, select Import from the file you've saved in C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Stamps. See if that works!

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!

17/2/2018 05:59:51 pm

Thanks, Mandy!

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

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.

Best wishes,
Louise

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!

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).

Carolyn Clarke

14/1/2019 05:38:29 pm

Hi Louise

I have downloaded your excellent stamps onto Acrobat DC. They are arranged in a long list though which I have to spend much time scrolling up and down. Is there a way of arranging them in a table as in the other PDF formats? Should they be in a list like this or have I done something wrong? I don't want to delete them all and start again until I am sure I have done something wrong!

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).

Thalia link

28/8/2019 05:59:43 pm

Hi Louise,
I have Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on my laptop. Which instructions should I follow for downloading your PDF proofreading stamps? Thank you!

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.

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.

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.

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!

12/7/2020 09:03:50 pm

You're very welcome, Rosemary!

Mindy Jameyson

3/8/2020 04:32:31 pm

Hi Louise,

I'm a Mac user. I was watching your video and I believe you said that you can not download PDF X-Change on a Mac. What do you recommend?

Thanks!

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.

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 :)

15/10/2020 12:35:45 pm

Glad you like them, Catherine!

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