Understanding yearbook terminology helps advisors and designers work efficiently and communicate clearly. Here’s a guide to the most common terms you’ll encounter when creating your yearbook in EDONext.

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Page Layout & Design Terms

Bleed – The extra margin around a page that ensures images and backgrounds extend to the edge after trimming. Usually 0.125 inches.

Margin – The space between the edge of the page and where content begins. Keeping text inside margins prevents it from being cut off.

Gutter – The inner margin between two facing pages in a spread.

Spread – Two facing pages designed together as a single visual unit.

Alignment – How objects are positioned relative to each other or the page. 

Grid – A framework of horizontal and vertical lines to help place elements consistently.

White Space / Negative Space– Empty areas on a page that help improve readability and emphasize content.

Ladder –A visual roadmap of the yearbook showing page assignments, sections, and deadlines. Helps editors plan and track content.

Images & Graphics

Resolution – The number of pixels in an image. Higher resolution means clearer images; low resolution may appear blurry in print.

DPI (Dots Per Inch) – Print image quality measurement. Yearbooks typically require 300 DPI for crisp images.

Crop – Removing parts of an image to focus on the subject.

Overlay – A graphic element placed on top of images or backgrounds, often semi-transparent.

Transparency / Opacity – How see-through an image, text, or graphic is.

Text & Fonts

Font / Typeface – The design of the letters you use in headings or body text.

Leading – The vertical space between lines of text.

Kerning – The spacing between individual letters.

Tracking – The overall spacing between letters in a block of text.

Body Copy – Main text content, like captions, quotes, or student stories.

Headline / Header – Large text used to title a page or section.

Subhead / Subheading – Smaller text under a headline that provides additional context.

Pull Quote – A quote highlighted from body text, often enlarged or styled differently for emphasis.

Design & Workflow

Template – A pre-designed layout that guides placement of photos, text, and graphics.

Placeholder/ Drop Photo Box – Temporary space in a template for photos or text before final content is added.

Theme – A consistent design style applied across multiple pages.

Layer – Different levels of content stacked on a page. Foreground elements appear above background layers.

Content & Sections

Caption – A short description accompanying a photo.

Section – A group of pages in the yearbook, like Sports, Clubs, or Senior Portraits.

Spread Flow / Photo Flow – How student photos or content move automatically across pages in EDONext.

Index – A list at the back of the book that helps locate students, teachers, and events.

Portrait – Formal photos of students used in the yearbook.

Candid / Action Shot – Photos capturing students or events in natural moments.

Feature Story – A small section of content that complements the main story, like quotes, facts, or mini-profiles.

Sidebar – A list at the back of the book that helps locate students, teachers, and events

PSPA – A professional organization offering resources, competitions, and guidance for school photographers, yearbook advisors, and students involved in school photography and yearbook production.

Tips for Advisors

Encourage students and staff to learn these terms to reduce confusion during design.

Keep a glossary page in your yearbook planning guide for quick reference.