taitto

Taitto is a Finnish term describing the process and result of page layout in printing and publishing. It covers the arrangement of text and images on a page, including typography, font sizes, line length, margins, column structure, color, and the overall visual balance of a publication. While originally tied to the physical folding of sheets, modern usage often emphasizes the finished page as a design object. The word derives from taittaa, “to fold,” with the noun-forming suffix -to.

In practice, taitto refers both to the discipline and to the work of a person who designs pages, a taittaja or taittajan. A taittaja is responsible for producing a consistent layout across chapters or sections, ensuring readability, print efficiency, and brand coherence. The process typically occurs between writing and printing and may involve preparing print-ready files, specifying bleeds and gutters, and coordinating with editors and photographers.

Software and formats: In contemporary publishing, taitto is executed with layout programs such as Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, or open-source alternatives; output is usually PDF or other print-ready formats, with attention to color management and image resolution. In digital publishing, taitto concepts extend to responsive or fixed layouts for online viewing. The term is standard in Finnish publishing culture; in English contexts, the equivalent concepts are generally described as page layout or typesetting.