In magazines and journals, this is a very popular element: Subtitles, also called Guidelines in lingo.

The subtitle allows for providing additional information on the headline.

However, it should under no circumstance compete against the main title. It is considerably smaller and acts as support to the headline. It should be considered a title's accessoire.

A title doesn't always suggest the matter of the actual text. In such a case it is very useful to place additional information in the subtitle.

 

When using a subtitle:

  • It should be close to the headline.

    It should be uniform everywhere

    Its position is arbitrary, but most times it is located above or under the main title.

    Must form a unit with the headline.

 

With subtitles, you should avoid:

  • Spacing a font.

    Small capitals

    All Majuscules

    Including font effects

Alltogether, if you use subtitles, you should focus on readability and distinctiveness and refrain from "typographical gags".