Short answer
An edition identifies a bibliographic version of a book; a printing identifies a production run, potentially one of several within that edition. A revised edition signals changed material, but a corrected or revised printing can also count as a distinct edition for cataloging purposes. The label alone is not decisive. 1 2
On this page
At a glance
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| Question | Edition | Printing |
|---|---|---|
| What does it distinguish? | A bibliographic version | A production run |
| Can it involve changed content? | Yes: revision, abridgment, or additions | Yes, if corrections or revision are indicated |
| Can several share one version? | One edition can have successive printings | Later printings can remain within the same edition |
| Is the printed label conclusive? | No | No |
These distinctions follow the libraries’ record-matching guidance. 1 2
What each thing is
Edition concerns which version a reader has; printing concerns its production history. Editions may differ in content, language, audience, or typography—not just in an edition number. Printing differences can include dates or publication locations without establishing a new edition. 1 2
Key differences
The important contrast is bibliographic change versus another production run. Yale accepts certain printing-date differences where no other edition is evident, but requires a new record for explicit corrections. Thus, a later printing need not be a revised edition, while a revised printing need not be bibliographically unchanged. 2
How to tell them apart
Read the qualifying words, then compare the book with the relevant bibliographic record: title, responsibility statement, publisher, extent, series, and edition statement. Revision language is stronger evidence of a distinct version than a bare printing number. Limit: matching pagination alone cannot settle the question; cataloging judgment may still be needed. 1 2
Where they overlap
The categories are not mutually exclusive. Tulane treats revised printing and corrected printing as statements indicating an edition difference. A book can therefore describe its production sequence using printing terminology while also representing changed bibliographic content. 1
Edge cases
A paperback or book-club label does not necessarily establish a distinct edition. Yale distinguishes a reading-group book with supplementary discussion appendices from one carrying only a club label. Binding alone likewise does not necessarily indicate an edition difference. These are cataloging distinctions, not universal rules about publishers’ terminology. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
Libraries need to decide whether a book matches an existing record or needs a new one. Separating production changes from version changes helps avoid treating every reprinting as a different work-version—or overlooking revisions. The supplied guidance also documents differing institutional thresholds for acceptable variation. 1 2
Common misconceptions
Neither second printing nor edition wording automatically proves a new bibliographic version. Conversely, printing does not mean unchanged. Also, edition can describe editorial responsibility, a series, or a scholarly publication’s nature rather than identify a version; context matters before comparing labels. 1
Examples
Hypothetical case 1: A first printing lists San Francisco and a second lists San Diego, with the publisher unchanged and other matching features intact. Yale allows this as variation within one edition. Hypothetical case 2: A book says third printing with corrections. Yale requires a new record despite the printing label. 2