How do proofreaders and editors divide their role when working on the same document?

Proofreaders and editors divide their roles by timing and focus. Editors work earlier in the process to shape content, flow, structure, and clarity. Proofreaders work last. They check the final layout for remaining typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors just before publication. The editor looks at the big picture, which includes checking the structure, plot, organisation, and overall argument of the text. These experts also focus on the style and sentence flow, and then rewrite awkward phrasing and fix tone and voice. A proofreader acts as the last quality gate who reads the final typeset or formatted file before it goes public. They look for missed typos, double spaces, and layout flaws, but do not rewrite or change the author’s style.