Some papers have stars upon thars...

May 12, 2009 10:52 AM

***** -- My local paper's masthead incorporates a number of stars at the top of the page. I could have sworn I've seen this on other papers but apparently not on our not on our other regional rag. Is this just a bit of layout eye candy or do they have some significance?
posted by Ogre Lawless to writing & language (5 comments total)

It's almost certainly a way of distinguishing between different print editions (early, late, final, etc).
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 10:55 AM on May 12

And previously.
posted by Floydd at 10:55 AM on May 12

Playboy uses stars to indicate distribution region.
posted by smackfu at 10:56 AM on May 12

Yup, it distinguishes between editions so the press room knows which plate is the newest and therefore the one to put on the press. You'll also see little symbols on every page that's new for the second or later editions.

Sometimes they put the most stars (i.e., latest editing) on every edition these days so everyone thinks they're getting the latest edition. In that case, there's a smaller symbol on the front page that signals the edition. (Where I worked it was a tiny "F" for "final.)
posted by Airhen at 12:08 PM on May 12

They indicate the edition - one is early, five is late.
posted by WPW at 3:33 PM on May 12