A vignette is a small illustration, ornamental image, or decorative design used within a printed page, often without a hard border or with edges that fade into the surrounding paper. Historically, vignettes appeared on title pages, section openings, and final pages of books. In poetry publishing, a vignette can establish atmosphere, echo recurring imagery, or provide a visual pause between sequences. Its scale and placement should remain subordinate to the poem, allowing image and language to coexist without competing for attention.

A vignette is a small decorative image, often an ornament or illustration, that may fade at its edges. In poetry books, it can mark section breaks or reinforce a poem’s atmosphere.