Generic Magazine Conventions

Typical Conventions

• Masthead – used for the name/logo of the magazine.

• Main Coverline – usually used for the main story in the magazine, e.g. a band name.

• Banner – used for images or text across the cover to attract attention.

• Cover picture – can be placed over the top of banners, images and text on the banner are usually linked. A main cover picture is used for the background, sized up to fit the magazine, relating to the main topic.

• House Style – The colour scheme used on the magazine.

• Barcode – a barcode is used on ALL magazines, usually to display the price/issue number. Can sometimes be found on the back of the magazine, rarely found on the contents page.

Masthead

• A masthead is the name or logo of the magazine. For example:

Main Coverline

• The main coverline is usually the main topic of the article placed in a larger text in the mid-section of the magazine.

Banner

• A banner is placed across the cover usually with text written on it or pictures in it or overlapping it, stands out against the background.

Cover picture

• The cover picture is the enlarged image used as the background for most magazines, typically relating to the topic of the main article.

Barcode

• The barcode is used on all magazines to be scanned for the price. Some may include the issue number or price. The barcode can be found on the cover, on the back, and in rare cases on the contents page.

Band names to attract one off buyers.

Barcode, usually found on front cover. Scanned for price

Main coverlineLarger font, runs right along the front of the magazine to emphasize the text. White text to contrast against the red and black background.Includes two subheadings below and above.

MastheadKerrang have used a reasonably simple

masthead with Kerrang’s traditional font in a matt black colour to contrast against the red and

white background making it stand out.

Cover pictures surrounded by text that matches the colour scheme.Yellow + signs

and words separating band names, yellow is a smaller part of the colour scheme to highlight and separate certain things.

Pictures and poster offers to attract buyers.

Banner of black text on a

white background to make it stand out. Surrounds

the main coverline.

StraplineSmaller line of text above and below the main

coverline

CoverlinesThe coverlines

indicate the smaller stories

within the magazines,

displayed on the front cover in a

house-style text.

Pull quoteQuote taken directly from the article and

displayed on the cover to spark interest.