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Imprint vs Overprint - What's the difference?

imprint | overprint |

As nouns the difference between imprint and overprint

is that imprint is an impression; the mark left behind by printing something while overprint is the addition of new text on a previously printed stamp, usually to add a surcharge or change the face value.

As verbs the difference between imprint and overprint

is that imprint is to leave a print, impression, , etc while overprint is to add an overprint.

imprint

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) empreinte, from the past participle of empreindre, from (etyl)

Noun

(en noun)
  • An impression; the mark left behind by printing something.
  • The day left an imprint in my mind.
  • The name and details of a publisher or printer, as printed in a book etc.; a publishing house.
  • A distinctive marking, symbol or logo.
  • The shirts bore the company imprint on the right sleeve.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) empreinter, from the past participle of empreindre, from (etyl)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To leave a print, impression, image, etc.
  • For a fee, they can imprint the envelopes with a monogram.
  • * Prior
  • And sees his num'rous herds imprint her sands.
  • * Cowper
  • Nature imprints upon whate'er we see, / That has a heart and life in it, "Be free."
  • * John Locke
  • ideas of those two different things distinctly imprinted on his mind
  • To learn something indelibly at a particular stage of life, such as who one's mother is.
  • To mark a gene as being from a particular parent so that only one of the two copies of the gene is expressed.
  • overprint

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (philately) The addition of new text on a previously printed stamp, usually to add a surcharge or change the face value.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To add an overprint.
  • To print too many copies of.
  • The unpopular comic book was overprinted , leaving many retailers with dozens of unsaleable copies.
  • (printing) To overlap different colours to avoid gaps.