pagenumbercentric

Pagenumbercentric is a term used to describe a design or processing approach in which pagination decisions are driven primarily by page numbers rather than the content flow or semantic structure of the document. In pagenumbercentric systems, functions such as page breaks, margins, column layouts, and content allocation are guided by a target pagination plan. This can mean starting new sections on specific pages, inserting blank pages to maintain right-hand page alignment in double-sided printing, or limiting the number of lines per page to preserve a fixed page count. Content ordering may be secondary to preserving consistent pagination.

Applications of a pagenumbercentric approach include print-focused publishing workflows, archival document preparation, or software rendering engines where stable page breaks are essential. It is often chosen when predictable physical pagination is a priority, such as for prepress work, formal reports, or long-running manuals where readers expect consistent page boundaries and totals.

The term is not widely standardized; it appears mainly in discussions of pagination strategies and is often used descriptively rather than as a formal category. Critics note that a strong emphasis on page numbers can sometimes conflict with content flow or accessibility considerations.

Related concepts include pagination, layout algorithms, typesetting, and page layout.