Language of Publishing

Gutter, thumb, recto, verso…what do they all mean? For someone new to publishing, the terms bantered about can be confusing if not intimidating. At times, it may seem like people are speaking Greek…or Latin. Recto and verso are Latin (or New Latin) words that simply mean right-hand page (recto) and left-hand page (verso). An easy way to remember which is which is “recto” begins with “r” and is the “right”-hand page.

To further complicate things, many of the terms used in publishing refer to obsolete technology. The terms remain in use, yet bear no resemblance to their reference. The term blue line, for example, refers to a printer proof for a one- or two-color printed piece. Today, a “blue line” is black printing on white paper, or, more likely, a PDF or other electronic proof. So why “blue” line? These proofs once were blue printing on a yellowish paper that was similar to an opaque vellum. Hence the term blue line, which was often called a Dylux. Dylux was the trade name for the proof. Tin Whiskers Publisher has posted a glossary of publishing terms on our website. Check it out if you are confused by some of the publishing industry’s language.

Tin Whiskers Publisher is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). IBPA’s mission is “to lead and serve the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success. ” IBPA is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community. Founded in 1983, it is the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. IBPA members pledge to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.