Think about the visibility and use of a piece when arranging page elements. Does the title, headline, label, or key visual need to be visible, readable, or recognizable from a distance, from a magazine rack, on a shelf, in a binder, or from different angles?
- For folded items and self-mailers consider what the recipient sees first before opening the piece. Put elements on the outer panels that identify what the piece is about, what will be inside such as a company name or logo, newsletter name, or an enticing (but appropriate) headline or visual.
- For magazines sold on magazine racks, place the nameplate at the top so it is easily seen.
- For signs or posters make text and visuals large enough to be seen from a distance.
- For packaging, use colors and placement of text and visuals that help identify the package from the front, side, or back.
- For forms, letters, reports, booklets, and handouts leave adequate margins for note-taking and binding or fastening with clips.
- For resumes, letterhead, memos, or forms likely to be faxed, scanned, or photocopied choose visuals and fonts that reproduce well in black and white. Avoid hairline rules and light colors that disappear at low resolution or photos and dark blocks of color that fax or photocopy poorly.
How to Create a Workable Page Layout
