Before a custom job moves forward, rewrite the request as one short proof line: item, spelling, and agreed version. A plain-language record is easier to compare with the artwork than a scattered message thread.
Separate choices from decoration
Keep the customer's exact wording in the proof line and treat font or ornament changes as separate choices. This gives the next review a clear starting point and helps a small shop identify what still needs confirmation.
For more compact-project workflow notes, browse /updates/ before preparing a sample.