Updated 3/3/26 for current UPC color bar guidelines and reprint wording. Updated 9/10/25 for current BHG branding and UPC info.
Designers are required to include spine information along with their cover layout documents. Place this information in correct position centered along the left-hand side of the cover. Spine type should be set as follows:
- If using: Better Homes & Gardens® (10 pt. New Times Roman PS Bold); registered mark 8 pt. Symbol, option-R.
- Title of magazine (13 pt. New Times Roman PS Bold, ALL CAPS).
- ® or ™ as needed after title.
- Issue designation, such as Spring, Summer, Fall (10 pt. New Times Roman PS Bold)
Example:
Better Homes & Gardens® Cottage Style™ Fall 2025
Other cover elements:
- UPC artwork, which includes cover prices. At minimum, there is one UPC containing both U.S. and Canada prices. There also could be UPC art for a price test and/or a polybag. All UPC artwork can be found in Assets.
- Color bars on top and bottom of UPC art; the color to use matches the off-sale month and is specified in the SIM pub plan database as Merchandising Assignment.
–The top color bar contains the pocket assignment (see SIM pub plan database) in 7 pt. type.
–The bottom color bar contains the display until date (see SIM pub plan database). - Subscription titles only: Issue number
- URL (optional)
- If a reprint, on print covers add a white or black box calling that out above the UPC.
–For a title of the same name with no cover changes and reprinted in the same year: Second Printing
–For a title of the same name reprinted in another year: Reissue of XXXX 20XX (year should be the most recently published printing, not the original printing)
–For a title reprinted with a new name within four years of the original issue: Previously Published as XXXXX
–No cover blurb is needed for a title reprinted with a new name that is more than 4 years old or a title that has new/updated content in excess of 20% of the book.
–Titles with 30% new content: Updated Edition
–ON REPRINT DIGITAL COVERS: Use same wording as print cover near issue designation. (added 12/10/21; updated 3/3/26)
Digital covers:
- Do not need a spine.
- Do not need UPC art, merchandising color bars, off-sale date, or pocket designation.
- Do need issue designation, such as Spring, Summer, Fall
- A URL is encouraged
- Should be created for all titles including reprints so one is always available if needed. Use same reprint text but by the issue designation. (updated 3/3/26)
For cover routing guidance, see Routing Through Legal.
Sell lines
For designers