Newspaper Design key terms

Layout & Design Key Terms

Learning the
terminology behind
newspaper design

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Gutter

• White space that separates
columns and facing pages.

Gutter

Double-truck (center spread)

• A spread in the center of a
publication, printed as one
sheet of paper and designed
as one unit.

Grid

• A pattern of vertical and
horizontal lines that form a
base on which to place page
elements.

Dominant Element

• The strongest element on a
page, usually a large photo,
which leads the reader into
the page. Usually 2 ½ times
larger than other elements
on the page.

Eyeline

• A pica of white space that
extends horizontally across
a spread.
• Only necessary in center
spreads.

Leading

• The white space between
lines of type. Leading is
normally set at an additional
two points. Ten-point type is
set on a 12-point leading
would be referred to as set
10 on 12, written 10/12.

Font

• Traditionally, a complete set
of characters in one size
and style of typeface (for
example, 12-point Arial
Italic); used now as a
synonym for typeface.

Typeface

• Design of a complete set of
type characters, specified by
a name, such as Arial or
Garamond.

Pica

• A unit of measurement in
design. There are 12 points
in a pica and 6 picas in one
inch.

12 points = 1 pica
6 picas = 1 inch

Point

• A small unit of measurement
that describes the size of
type. There are 72 points in
one inch.
• Type that is 72 points is one
inch tall.

Ragged

• Having uniform word
spacing and uneven line
length. Type aligned on the
left (flush left) and ragged on
the right (ragged right) is
easiest to read.
• This text block is ragged
right (flush left).

Justified

• Type that aligns, or is set
even, on both sides of a
column.
• This text block is set
justified.

Dummy

• A full-size drawing of a page
showing where all page
elements will appear.

Tombstoning
• The placing of two headlines
side by side on a page or
spread.
XXXXX XXXXX
XXXXX XXXXX

Modular Format

• A style of page layout that
uses rectangular units, each
of which consists of all the
visual elements that make
up the layout for a particular
story.

Mini Column Format

• A style of page layout based
upon a series of narrow or
“mini” columns used to
create areas of planned
white space.

Nameplate (Flag)
• Copy (often combined with a
graphic) that states the
name of the newspaper in
large, bold letters across the
front page; includes the
volume and issue numbers,
publication date, and city
and state where the paper is
published.

Teaser (window or ears)

• Boxed copy that promotes
stories inside the issue.

Ears – Tells a little of
what is inside the paper

Date, School Name Price
Volume & Issue

Index

• Copy that lists the page
numbers on which sections
start.

Headline

• A line of copy that serves as
a title for a story. Usually
cannot be written until the
page is designed.

Deck

• One level of a headline.

Headline / Decks

XXXXXXXXXX
Headline
XXXXXXXXXX
(both lines)
Deck
(one line)

Subhead

• A miniheadline that indicates
what the next section of
copy contains; breaks up
gray blocks of copy in a
story.

Standing Head

• A headline for a regular
feature in each issue of a
publication.

Byline

• A line of copy that identifies
the writer of a story.

By Roxanne Roth
The Times

Dateline

the place where the news
occurred; important if the
story originated someplace
other than the city where the
newspaper is published.

Jumpline / Continue Line

• A line of copy that indicates
the page on which the story
continues or started.

Jumphead

• A brief (one or two word)
headline on a page that
shows a reader where to
start reading the jumped
story again.

Refer

• A line of copy that refers to a
related story elsewhere in
the issue.

Caption (cutline)

• Lines of copy placed next to
a photo that explain the
content of the photo.

Photo Credit

the photographer of a
particular photo.

Pull Quote

• A quote from a story
arranged as a graphic in the
layout of the story.

Folio

• A page number; often
includes the name and
section of the paper.

Screen

• Shaded area; measured in
percentages.

This is a 30%
black screen

Rule

• A vertical or horizontal line
that serves to accent or
separate elements; its width
is measured in points.

This is a 3 pt. rule

Initial Cap (Drop Cap)

• A large capital letter of the
opening word in a story;
serves as a graphic.

Mugshot

• A photo that shows only the
shoulders and head of a
person.

Infographic

• A visual representation of
statistical information, such
as a map, chart, diagram, or
time line. 90
80
70
60
50 East
40 West
30 North
20
10
0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Logo

• A title with art that identifies
a standing feature, such as
a column.

Spot Color

• One color applied in
strategic places on a page.
• This page uses a blue spot
color for the title.

Clip Art

• Ready-made graphics
available for use free of
charge or for a small fee.

Clip Art

Icon

• A symbol or image that
identifies a particular
feature, perhaps a section or
standing feature, such as a
teacher profile.

Overprint

• The printing of one item on
top of another.

These words
are
overprinted
on the screen.

Bullet

• A large dot that calls
attention to a line of copy or
sets off items in a list.

Facing Pages

• Two inside pages that face
each other but are not
usually printed on the same
sheet of paper; together,
they form a spread.

Internal Margin

• A consistent margin of white
space between copy and
graphics; usually one pica in
width.

External Margin

• A frame of white space
around the layout marked by
the outside edge of at least
one block of copy or
graphic.

Fold

• The middle of a page, where
large-format newspapers
are folded.

Newspaper Design key terms

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