Different design rules apply depending on the product. For instance, bigger margins for printed materials, different proportions for portrait and landscape layouts, etc. However, the layout grid is a basic principle that applies to all products.

Margins and columns

In general, margins are equal on all sides at 5% (rounded to the next lower percentage) of the short side of the item. Example: A4’s short side is 210 mm, 5% of that is 10,5 mm, rounded down 10 mm.

Type area of a DIN A4 portrait brochure

• Top (head): 30 mm, bottom (foot) 20 mm
• Inside (gutter): 14 mm, outside (side margin): 21 mm
• No. of columns: 12, column spacing 3.5 mm

• Always use 12 columns. It is not only a connection to the 12-degree element, it also creates great flexibility in the layout. Generally, a gutter of half the margin’s size is used (continuing the above example, that will give us a 5 mm gutter).
• The Demag logo is usually placed in the bottom-right corner, respecting the margins.
• On ads and brochure covers, the main visual element shall fill almost the entire page, bleeding off top, bottom and left. On the right side, it is cut off in a 12-degree angle. This cut runs along the line of the logo’s whitespace.