Picture vs. Print: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
A picture refers to an image or representation of something, while a print is a reproduction of an image, often made by pressing it onto a surface.
Key Differences
A picture is a visual representation or depiction of an object, scene, or concept. It could be drawn, painted, photographed, or created using any other medium. A print, on the other hand, refers to an impression or reproduction of an original image, often created by transferring ink from one surface to another.
When we talk about a picture, we are usually referring to a singular, unique piece of art or image. It holds an original quality. A print emphasizes the replicative process, suggesting that there may be multiple copies of the same image.
While every print is a picture in that it represents an image, not every picture is a print. For instance, a hand-painted portrait is a picture, but unless it's reproduced, it's not a print.
Digital advancements have blurred the lines a bit. A digital picture stored in a device is an image file. When this file is transferred to paper or any physical medium, it becomes a print of that picture.
Artists often create limited edition prints of their original pictures to sell. The original might be priceless, but the prints, being reproductions, are more accessible to the public.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A visual representation or depiction.
A reproduction of an image.
Uniqueness
Often singular and original.
Can be one of many identical copies.
Medium
Can be on any medium (canvas, paper, digital).
Typically on paper or fabric.
Creation Process
Can be drawn, painted, or photographed.
Made by transferring ink from one surface to another.
Value in Art
Seen as original and unique.
Viewed as a replication, often less valuable.
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Picture and Print Definitions
Picture
A visual representation of something.
I took a picture of the sunset.
A mark or impression made in or on a surface by pressure
The print of footsteps in the sand.
Picture
A painting, drawing, or photograph.
The picture on the wall is an original Picasso.
A fingerprint.
Picture
An image formed in the mind.
Her story painted a vivid picture in my imagination.
A device or implement, such as a stamp, die, or seal, used to press markings onto or into a surface
Fancy letters made by hand-carved prints.
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Something formed or marked by such a device.
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Text, lettering, or other marks produced in ink from type as by a printing press or from digital fonts by an electronic printer
Needed glasses to read the print.
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Printed state or form
A short story that never got into print.
Picture
A vivid mental image.
A printed publication or edition of a text; a printing
The first print of that book has sold out.
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
A design or picture transferred from an engraved plate, wood block, lithographic stone, or other medium
Had prints of flowers hanging on the walls.
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
A photographic image transferred to paper or a similar surface.
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
A copy of a movie made on film or in a high resolution digital format, as for public exhibition.
Picture
A movie.
A fabric or garment with a dyed pattern that has been pressed onto it, usually by engraved rollers.
Picture
A tableau vivant.
The pattern itself
A blouse with a paisley print.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
To press (a mark or design, for example) onto or into a surface
Tracks that were printed in the snow.
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
To make an impression on or in (a surface) with a device such as a stamp, seal, or die.
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
To press (something, such as a stamp) onto or into a surface to leave a marking.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
To produce by means of pressed type, an electronic printer, or similar means, on a paper surface
Printed more copies of the ad.
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
To offer in printed form; publish
The publisher collected the essays and printed them as a book.
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
To reproduce (a digital document or image) on a paper surface
Printed the email.
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
To convert (a digital document) into a file format designed for publication.
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
To write (something) in characters similar to those commonly used in print.
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
To impress firmly in the mind or memory
An experience that will be printed in our hearts forever.
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
To produce a photographic image from (a negative, for example) by passing light through film onto a photosensitive surface, especially sensitized paper.
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
To produce (an electronic component) by mechanically transferring a circuit or circuit pattern onto a nonconductive surface.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
To fabricate (an object) by means of a 3D printer.
Picture
A figure; a model.
To work as a printer.
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
To produce something in printed form by means of a printing press or other reproduction process.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
To write characters similar to those commonly used in print.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
To produce or receive an impression, marking, or image
The negative printed poorly.
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Published or reproduced by printing, especially in contrast to electronic publication
A print newsletter.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Relating to or involved in media based on printing, especially newspapers and magazines
A print journalist.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Of, relating to, or writing for printed publications.
A print edition of a book
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
(transitive) To produce one or more copies of a text or image on a surface, especially by machine; often used with out or off: print out, print off.
Print the draft double-spaced so we can mark changes between the lines.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
To produce a microchip (an integrated circuit) in a process resembling the printing of an image.
The circuitry is printed onto the semiconductor surface.
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
(ambitransitive) To write very clearly, especially, to write without connecting the letters as in cursive.
Print your name here and sign below.
I'm only in grade 2, so I only know how to print.
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
(ambitransitive) To publish in a book, newspaper, etc.
How could they print an unfounded rumour like that?
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
(transitive) To stamp or impress (something) with coloured figures or patterns.
To print calico
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
(transitive) To fix or impress, as a stamp, mark, character, idea, etc., into or upon something.
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
(transitive) To stamp something in or upon; to make an impression or mark upon by pressure, or as by pressure.
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
To display a string on the terminal.
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
To produce an observable value.
On March 16, 2020, the S&P printed at 2,386.13, one of the worst drops in history.
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
(transitive) To fingerprint (a person).
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
(uncountable) Books and other material created by printing presses, considered collectively or as a medium.
Three citations are required for each meaning, including one in print.
TV and the Internet haven't killed print.
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
(uncountable) Clear handwriting, especially, writing without connected letters as in cursive.
Write in print using block letters.
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
(uncountable) The letters forming the text of a document.
The print is too small for me to read.
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
(countable) A newspaper.
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
A visible impression on a surface.
Using a crayon, the girl made a print of the leaf under the page.
Picture
A cinema film or movie.
We're going to see a picture tonight.
A fingerprint.
Did the police find any prints at the scene?
Picture
A clear impression or depiction.
Her smile was a picture of happiness.
A footprint.
(visual art) A picture that was created in multiple copies by printing.
(photography) A photograph that has been printed onto paper from the negative.
(film) A copy of a film that can be projected.
Cloth that has had a pattern of dye printed onto it.
(architecture) A plaster cast in bas relief.
To fix or impress, as a stamp, mark, character, idea, etc., into or upon something.
A look will print a thought that never may remove.
Upon his breastplate he beholds a dint,Which in that field young Edward's sword did print.
Perhaps some footsteps printed in the clay.
To stamp something in or upon; to make an impression or mark upon by pressure, or as by pressure.
Forth on his fiery steed betimes he rode,That scarcely prints the turf on which he trod.
To strike off an impression or impressions of, from type, or from stereotype, electrotype, or engraved plates, or the like; in a wider sense, to do the typesetting, presswork, etc., of (a book or other publication); as, to print books, newspapers, pictures; to print an edition of a book.
To stamp or impress with colored figures or patterns; as, to print calico.
To take (a copy, a positive picture, etc.), from a negative, a transparent drawing, or the like, by the action of light upon a sensitized surface.
To use or practice the art of typography; to take impressions of letters, figures, or electrotypes, engraved plates, or the like.
To publish a book or an article.
From the moment he prints, he must except to hear no more truth.
A mark made by impression; a line, character, figure, or indentation, made by the pressure of one thing on another; as, the print of teeth or nails in flesh; the print of the foot in sand or snow.
Where print of human feet was never seen.
A stamp or die for molding or impressing an ornamental design upon an object; as, a butter print.
That which receives an impression, as from a stamp or mold; as, a print of butter.
Printed letters; the impression taken from type, as to excellence, form, size, etc.; as, small print; large print; this line is in print.
That which is produced by printing.
A core print. See under Core.
The result of the printing process;
I want to see it in black and white
A picture or design printed from an engraving
A visible indication made on a surface;
Some previous reader had covered the pages with dozens of marks
Paw prints were everywhere
A copy of a movie on film (especially a particular version of it)
A fabric with a dyed pattern pressed onto it (usually by engraved rollers)
A printed picture produced from a photographic negative
Put into print;
The newspaper published the news of the royal couple's divorce
These news should not be printed
Write as if with print; not cursive
Make into a print;
Print the negative
Reproduce by printing
A mark made by pressing something onto a surface.
The detective found a clear fingerprint in the print.
A reproduction of a photograph or artwork.
The gallery sells prints of famous artworks.
Written characters produced by a printer.
The print on this page is too small to read.
To reproduce text or images using a printer.
Can you print the document for me?
A design or pattern on fabric.
She wore a dress with a floral print.
FAQs
What is a print?
A print is a reproduction of an original image, often created by pressing or transferring ink from one surface to another.
Are all pictures originals?
Not necessarily. While pictures can be original artworks, they can also be reproductions or digital images.
How can I differentiate an original picture from a print?
Originals often have unique textures or brush strokes, while prints tend to have a more uniform appearance.
How are prints typically made in art?
Prints are often made using techniques like lithography, screen printing, or etching.
How do I convert a digital picture to a print?
Use a printer to transfer the digital picture onto a physical medium, like paper.
What's a "fine art print"?
It's a high-quality reproduction of an artwork, often made with archival inks and materials.
What is a picture?
A picture is a visual representation or depiction, whether drawn, painted, photographed, or otherwise created.
Can a photograph be considered both a picture and a print?
Yes, a photograph is a picture, and if reproduced or developed from a negative, it's also a print.
Is a movie referred to as a picture?
Yes, movies are sometimes colloquially called "pictures," as in "motion picture."
Can I take a picture of a print?
Yes, you can photograph a print, and that photograph becomes a picture of the original print.
Do prints hold value in the art world?
Yes, especially limited edition prints, signed and numbered by the artist.
Can a digital image be called a picture?
Yes, a digital image is a type of picture stored electronically.
Do print shops only reproduce images?
No, print shops can produce original designs, but they often reproduce or print multiple copies of an image.
How is a print's quality determined?
Quality depends on the resolution, printing method, ink quality, and paper or material used.
Can pictures be abstract?
Yes, pictures can be realistic or abstract, depending on the creator's intent.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
