Substantive editing and structural editing serve to clarify or reorganize a text's content and structure by suggesting modifications or implementing modifications. Modifications can be made on the hard copy or on the electronic version of the text.

Translation editing consists of comparing a translated text to the original for faithfulness and, after substantive editing, making any touch-ups.

Style and copy editing entail clarifying meaning, eliminating slang, polishing style, revising copy line by line, and making any necessary corrections. Modifications can be made on the hard copy or on the electronic version of the text.