margin
1. The area of a page between the printed,
written, or illustrative matter and the edges of
the leaf. The four margins are usually called the
"head" (or top); "fore edge" (or outer, outside,
side); "tail" (or bottom foot); and "inner" (or
back, inside, gutter, binding). The proportional
width of the margins is an important element in a
properly balanced book page. A good (and standard)
ratio is: head 2 units, fore edge 3 units, tail 4
units, and inner 1 1/2 units (the opposing inner
margins making a total of 3 units). In order for
these ratios to exist following trimming, the
head, fore edge, and tail margins must be greater
by the extent of the trimming, which is usually /8
inch for each. 2. The area of a map, drawing, or
print, between the line enclosing the information
and the edge of the paper. (156 , 234 )