As soon as you look up yearbook tips online, you are thrown words like picas, rule of thirds, signatures and the like. To help understand all that jargon we've pulled together some must-know words that will help you get off on the right foot.
CUT-OUT PHOTO
A photo treatment in which the background has been cut away from the subject. This technique is most effective for photo illustrations, rather than photojournalistic images, since removing the background alters the journalistic story the photo delivers. Also called a COB.
DIVIDER
Indicates a new section and provides design continuity throughout the yearbook.
ENDSHEET
The heavy paper between the cover and the first and last pages that help bond the inside pages into the cover.
FOLIO
The page number and word or images that might accompany it.
GUTTER
The center of the spread, where the yearbook is bound with thread and glue into the spine. Typographic elements should not be placed in this area.
LADDER
A page-by-page planner and deadline tracker used to identify content, record deadlines, plan color placement and track pages submitted and proofed. The ladder is organized by spreads, multiples and signatures. The ladder should be completed before yearbook production begins.
PICA
A unit of measurement in graphic design equal to 1/6 of an inch, used for measuring the width and height of content elements.
POINT
Increment used to ensure precise design measurement. A point is 1/72 of an inch (or 1/12 of a pica) and is used for measuring typography and rule lines.
PROOF
A final opportunity to review pages and make last-minute, critical corrections before printing.
SPREAD
Most common allocation of space, two facing pages presenting a variety of elements to tell a story; even and odd pages appearing as a unit.
WHITE SPACE
An unoccupied part of a design; so named because the white background is visible. All white space should be planned and included margins, interior spacing and rails.