In Western book design, this is the back side of a printed leaf and the left-hand page of a two-page spread. It traditionally carries even-numbered folios, starting with page two. Layout artists track these pages carefully during imposition to ensure margins and gutters align properly when the signature is folded.
Check the margins on the verso pages, because the gutter looks a little tight on the even numbers.
A quick way to remember is that verso shares a root with reverse, meaning the back side of the leaf.
Also heard as
- reverso
Do not mix it up with
- Recto: Recto is the right-hand, odd-numbered page, while verso is the left-hand, even-numbered page.
Related terms
Recto
The right-hand page of an open book or manuscript, traditionally bearing an odd page number.
Folio
The printed page number in a publication, or a book size made by folding a sheet once.
Imposition
The arrangement of pages on a press sheet to ensure correct order after folding and trimming.
Gutter
The blank space between facing pages or adjacent columns of text.