Design of Annotations in Book Layout [Buke Printing]

Design of Annotations in Book Layout [Buke Printing]

Annotations are explanations or clarifications of the main text, other content, and words in a publication, and are an important component to aid reading. Annotations are usually formatted in Song typeface, imitation Song typeface, or Kai typeface, which are one to two sizes smaller than the main text.

Annotations can be divided into two types according to their layout: accompanying annotations and corresponding annotations. Accompanying annotations are placed after the words to be annotated in the text, and are divided into single line annotations and double line annotations. Single line annotations are divided into three types of typesetting. The first type uses the same font and size as the main text, with parentheses added before and after the annotations; The first type is to use the same font size as the main text, but with a different font (such as Song typeface for the main text and imitation Song typeface or Kai typeface for annotations), and parentheses are also required for annotations during typesetting; The third method is to use font size smaller than the main text, with the bottom edge of the line aligned, and parentheses can be omitted. Double line accompanying text annotation is the use of double line annotations after the annotated words. The arrangement of double line annotations was first seen in Song Dynasty printed materials, and this form has been used to this day. The wooden movable type in the Wuying Hall of the Qing Dynasty has different sizes of characters, with the width of small characters being half of that of large characters, which perfectly meets the layout of double line annotations. In modern lead type typesetting, this form is also commonly used to arrange annotated ancient books. The most convenient method is to use font size 1/2 smaller than the main text for annotation (when the main text is a second character, use a fifth character for annotation; when the main text is a third character, use a sixth character for annotation).

Echo annotation refers to placing annotations or numbers in the main text and the content that needs to be annotated, and then placing the annotations in a certain position within the version. When there are few comments, use one flower, and the second time use two flowers, adding the number of flowers in sequence. The form of the annotations arranged in the main text should be consistent with those arranged before the annotations. When there are many annotations, sequence codes can be used, which can take the form of circle codes, circle yin codes, enclosed numbers, square enclosed numbers, etc., as well as various Chinese characters and numbers.

Corresponding annotations have different positions on the layout and can be divided into several forms, such as paragraph annotations, version annotations, chapter annotations, and postscript annotations. The postscript is a collection of annotations from the main text that are placed after this paragraph. After arranging the annotations, proceed to the next paragraph of annotations. Post page annotation refers to placing the annotations of this version at the end of the page, also known as page annotations. Post chapter annotations refer to the collection of annotations within a chapter (article) placed after the main text of that chapter. After the book, the annotations are arranged in a concentrated manner after the main text of the book, and the corresponding annotations are often arranged in font size one or two sizes smaller than the main text. The spacing between lines can also be smaller than the main text. Thin lines can be used to separate the main text from the annotations, or some gaps can be increased.

The arrangement of annotations can be based on the number of annotations, using either line by line or line by line arrangement. If there are too many annotations after a version that cannot be resolved within one page, adjustments can be made within a group of versions. The annotations should be placed at the bottom of both versions and arranged in a connected order.

Some books also place the annotations on the corresponding lines in the blank space of the sky, also known as eyebrow annotations in vertical layout. In horizontal layout, the annotations are also placed on one side of the corresponding line cut.

Design of Annotations in Book Layout [Buke Printing]