Glossary of Magazine Layout Terminology & Definitions

Looking for a particular magazine design, layout or publishing term? Are you an aspiring magazine designer? New to publishing? Transitioning from print to digital? Or maybe you’re just drawing a blank? Either way, you can find most any term or definition used in magazine design, periodical publishing, annual reports, catalogs, and related categories with this handy glossary of magazine terminology and publishing terminology.
A solid grasp of periodical layout jargon is key in both design and publishing. You’ll need to be familiar with the different online and offline publishing functions involved, like print and WebDev. Just scroll down for alphabetic order or search for the layout design term you’re needing. Or better yet, just do a search in the search box below! Don’t worry, nobody expects you to read it end to end! Well, except for your boss. 😛


Definition: This is a a vertical block of content positioned on the page. Margins flank the sides of columns to give them space or “breathing room and are often separated by gutters.
Column formatting of a page’s text is generally considered to improve the readability of the text on the page, by providing shorter lines of running horizontal text to follow. Columns also allow text to not appear as dense and time-consuming as it may actually be. Newspapers often use this technique.



We hope this glossary of magazine terminology, design terms and jargon met with your approval.
Any questions? Feel free to leave your burning question below. We’ll answer it or find the best possible answer for your unique circumstances if you can go into detail. Design advice given in the post comments are on the house!
In one or two words, what do you call that part of a magazine or newspaper that lists the publisher, the editors, subscriptions rates, contact information, etc.
Masthead
Thank you – very informative – wish you would have included also terminology such as DPS, OBC etc…
Hi Jojo,
Thanks for the input. Yes, it could have more print terminology. I’ll consider working that in!