Lines Rule!
Using Rules or Lines in Your Page Design

More on Lines, Rules • Lines as Element of Design • Using Lines in Logos • Lines & Mug Shots • Using Frames, Boxes • Using Leaders     Related Lessons • Bullets • Leaders • Page Numbers

Examples of Horizontal Rules
Rules are normally expressed in point sizes although some programs use inches by default. A hairline rule is the smallest size and is usually about one-fourth of a point. Most page layout programs come with several preset "one-click" width rules usually from hairline to 8, 16, or 24 points. However, you can customize rules for other sizes including partial sizes such as 1.5 or 2.6 points.

Solid rules aren't the only possibility. Some software programs offer a wide variety of pre-set rules styles or you can create your own. Make rules from round, square, or diamond-shaped dots. Mix dots and dashes in a pattern. Combine solid or non-solid rules in different sizes. And don't forget, rules can be vertical and diagonal too.

Due to varying screen resolutions, the widths in image are only approximate representations.

Designing With Rules
Some ways to use rules in your design:

• Add a border to a graphic or table.
• Place above and/or below headlines, titles.
• Use at the top and/or bottom of pages to define the shape of the page or to separate header and footer text from other copy.
• Separate columns of text.
• Offset sidebars, pull-quotes, or other blocks of text.



• Use rules with restraint and appropriately:
  • Too many rules are distracting and interrupt the flow of text. Don't box in every element on the page.
  • Use appropriate size rules. Thick rules can overpower delicate text and rules that are too thin fade away into the background.
  • Pay attention to spacing. Put enough space between text and rules to avoid ascenders or descenders running into the rules.
  • When placing rules above and below or to the left and right of a block of text, make sure the distance between text and rules is visually balanced on both sides.

Some ways to create attractive rules:

• Use dots or dashes instead of solid lines.
• Pair up thick and thin rules for double lines.
• Use rules in a spot color or tint.
• Use a group of rules in the same or varying thicknesses and lengths as design elements that draw the focus to an important element of the design.
• Reverse text out of a thick rule.

Rules Ttips and How-to's
Most page layout programs have the ability to create a variety of default rules and often you can create custom rules within the program. More elaborate rules may require a graphics program.

• Not all hairline rules are created equal. Specify a specific size, such as .25 pt. to avoid surprises when printing to different printers, especially imagesetters which may view the "hairline rule" setting as larger or smaller than the software you used to create it.
• Another reason not to use pre-defined hairline rules. The hairline rule you define in your drawing program may have a different weight then the rule you specified in your page layout program.