Experts distinguish between a third printing and a fourth printing of a book, game, or other printed product by checking a small set of consistent, evidence-based places on the item and by understanding the publishing terminology; the steps below explain what to look for, why each item matters, how to interpret conflicting or incomplete indicators, and how experts document and verify their conclusions.
What “edition,” “printing,” and related terms mean (short, essential definitions)
– Edition: a version of the work that has been substantially revised or reissued by the publisher (for example a “Fourth Edition” that incorporates content changes or a new layout).
– Printing (also called “impression”): a run of physical copies produced from the same plates or digital files within an edition; a single edition often has many printings (for example “Fourth Edition, 3rd printing”).
– Copyright page (also called the imprint or verso): the publisher’s internal page that typically lists copyright dates, edition statements, and a number line; it is the single most reliable place to find printing information.
These definitions reflect standard publishing practice used by libraries, publishers, and bibliographic guides and are the foundation for identifying printings and editions.
Primary place to check: the copyright/imprint page
– Look at the copyright (imprint) page situated inside the front matter (often the verso of the title page). Experts open there first because publishers regularly record edition and printing information on that page.
– Find a number line or sequence of numbers such as “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1”; the lowest number usually indicates the printing number — e.g., if the line ends in “3,” it is the third printing of that edition; if it ends in “4,” it is the fourth printing of that edition. This “number line” convention is standard industry practice and appears on many publisher imprint pages.
– Also scan for explicit wording: publishers sometimes print “First edition,” “Fourth edition,” “Second printing,” or “Fourth printing” in plain text on the same page; when present, explicit wording takes precedence for interpretation.
Why the number line is authoritative (and how to read variants)
– The number line method is a widely used publisher convention: a countdown sequence indicates the printing, with the smallest numeral marking the current printing. If the line reads “1 2 3 4 5 6,” the “1” typically designates a first printing; if it reads “6 5 4 3 2 1,” the “1” likewise marks the first printing; if it reads “6 5 4 3,” the “3” marks the third printing.
– Some publishers reverse the order or use alternate formats; experts compare the imprint page to known imprint patterns for that publisher (publishers often use consistent imprint formats across titles), and consult the publisher’s bibliographic notes or website for clarification where necessary.
Secondary indicators: exterior packaging and small print
– Jacket, back cover, or box back: For many consumer products (board games, trade books), the back cover or box often shows a copyright year or edition label. Careful comparison of the rear text to documented images from the publisher or collector guides can reveal which edition/printing it matches.
– Minor cosmetic differences: subtle changes in typography, logos, barcode placement, color saturation, or the presence/absence of small promotional blurbs are frequently associated with different printings; collectors’ guides and publisher errata pages often catalog these visual differences so experts compare physical details against reference images.
– Internal manufacturing differences: in products like board games, later printings sometimes change component thickness, card stock weight, typesetting, or the presence of internal organizers — these physical differences are noted in manufacturer release notes or enthusiast databases and used to confirm printing.
Publisher errata and official statements
– Publishers sometimes publish errata pages or “how to identify” guidance for new editions and printings; experts consult the publisher’s official errata or product pages for explicit statements about edition and printing differences.
– When publishers post revision notes (for example “Fourth edition — new cover introduced in 2012; several subsequent printings in 2014 and 2016”), experts treat those statements as primary-source evidence and cite them when documenting identifications.
When imprint data is missing, damaged, or ambiguous: cross-check methods
– Compare multiple physical indicators: cover art, copyright notice, ISBN variants, barcode suffixes, paper/board thickness, and packaging statements; a consistent cluster of features associated with known printings can establish a likely identification when the imprint page is unreadable.
– Use bibliographic records: national library catalog entries (e.g., Library of Congress, national bibliographies) and industry databases sometimes list edition and printing information; experts consult these records when the item lacks clear internal markings.
– Consult collector databases and communities: for items like games, genre books, or specialized manuals, enthusiast communities and collector sites maintain detailed photographic catalogs and printing-identification guides that experts cross-reference.
– Contact the publisher or manufacturer: when doubt persists, experts contact the publisher with the item’s ISBN, barcode, and any imprint data; publishers can confirm the printing when their internal production records are consulted.
How ISBNs, barcodes, and small number differences help (and how they can mislead)
– ISBNs and barcode numbers identify a title, format, and publisher; sometimes separate printings share the same ISBN (because ISBN often maps to an edition and format rather than a printing), but other times publishers issue a new ISBN for a substantially revised reprint or reissue; experts verify how a given publisher treats ISBN changes.
– Barcode suffixes and price codes are useful corroborating clues: if a later printing shows an updated barcode or price box, that can indicate a newer printing even when the ISBN is unchanged.
– Caution: because ISBN assignment practices vary, ISBN alone cannot reliably tell third printing from fourth printing without supporting imprint data.
Practical step-by-step workflow experts use to identify printing number
1. Open the item to the copyright/imprint page and read the number line and edition statement (most cases resolved here).
2. Note exact text and any numbers (copy them verbatim); photograph the page for documentation.
3. Check the back cover/box for printed edition or copyright year changes; photograph for record.
4. Compare item features to publisher images, errata pages, or authoritative bibliographic records (publisher site, Library of Congress, national bibliographies).
5. If imprint data is missing or damaged, compare multiple physical attributes and consult collector/enthusiast databases or reference guides that document printing changes.
6. If ambiguity remains, contact the publisher with the photographed imprint page, ISBN, and any visible barcodes; request confirmation.
7. Record provenance: experts keep a short evidence trail (photos, citation of publisher page or catalog entry, date contacted) so future identifications can be checked.
Special cases and pitfalls
– Reprints within the same edition that are not marked: some publishers reprint without changing the number line or mark; identifying these requires external confirmation (publisher statement, batch numbers, or production notes).
– Different markets and language editions: the
