• Two columns of text improves readability by shortening line lengths.
• The symetry of two columns puts the reader at ease.
• You may use alignment left, or justified text equally well, depending on the intent of the message.
• One-colunm text layout &endash; Don't go across all four columns, three-columns should be the limit for text columns.
• Headlines may go across all four columns in order to provide balance.
• Smaller column for captions or sidebars, and, or a smaller column for white space, which gives breathing room to the reader.
• The grid is divided both horizontally and vertically. This allows symetry throughout the layout.
• Part of the layout should account for a header, a footer, and a page number if required.

1. Dead Area, a margin around the layout in which no live copy should appear. Protects against printer errors and the loss of important information. You can bleed art work into this area, as long as it is extraneous imagery.
2. Live Area, the portion of the layout which contains all important information. Gives the reader a border for visual relief.
3. By breaking the layout into four-equal columns you have the opportunity to use a combination of design configurations.

E-Mail Doug at mrdoug@aznet.net or Melissa at melissa_mckinstry@hotmail.com