Magazine covers and contents pages follow common codes and conventions to effectively communicate information to readers. Magazine covers typically feature a prominent cover star, overlapping masthead, issue date, and bold unique font at the top. Cover lines hint at main articles while barcodes and prices are also displayed. Contents pages list the issue number, main article page numbers, related images and section headings, and repeat a smaller version of the front cover to orient the reader. Both pages aim to entice readers through visual elements and clearly present essential publication details.

1. Magazine cover/Contents
page codes &
conventions

2. Main Cover Codes and Conventions
Established brand has cover star
overlapping masthead
Issue date
Bold masthead with unique font at the
top of cover
Cover-lines that hint to main articles
Barcode/price
information
Stylish clothes reflect the
magazine genre (fashion)
Similar fonts
Direct mode of address
Main cover-line
*Magazine covers can also have puffs which are a
shape/sticker containing an incentive (offer). They can also
have a positioning statement in the skyline, which declares
the magazines position in the market.

3. Contents Page Codes & Conventions
Issue number
Main article page numbers
Multiple related images
Editor’s note
Images with article
information/page number
Section headings
Column
Repeated front cover (smaller)
Subscription details Page number at the bottom
with magazine logo