headline

In traditional letterpress and offset printing, the headline is the running head that appears in the upper margin of a printed page, typically containing the folio (page number) and often the book or section title. It sits in the top margin space, usually 0.5 to 0.75 inches from the trimmed edge, and is set in a smaller typeface than body text, commonly 8 to 10 point.

The headline serves a functional role in bound books and periodicals: it helps readers navigate longer documents and provides a visual anchor that the page has printed correctly. In multi-signature printing runs, a misaligned or missing headline often signals a press problem or folding defect. The term originates from its position at the "head" of the line of text, not from news journalism.

Variants and placement

A verso (left-hand page) might carry the section title, while the recto (right-hand page) carries the chapter title or main heading. Some books use the same headline on both sides; others alternate. The folio number can sit centered, flush left, or flush right depending on house style. In elaborate finishes, the headline may include decorative rules (lines) above or below it.

The term is now dated because digital typography and on-screen reading have made the running head less critical to navigation than it was in cloth-bound books of the 20th century. Modern offset printers still implement headlines to specification, but design briefs increasingly omit them or use them only in specific sections. Understanding the term remains useful when reading legacy production specs or working with classical book design standards.