Textbooks are printed in batches called print runs, printings, or impressions. The print run of a textbook is listed on the copyright page within a numeric, or sometimes alphanumeric, string.
Publishers may use differing protocols to denote a textbook’s print run. Below are common examples of how a print run may appear on a textbook’s copyright page.
A series of ascending numbers where the first number is indicative of the print run.
Example: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
This indicates the book is from the first printing.
A series of descending numbers where the last number is indicative of the print run.
Example: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
This indicates the book is from the second printing.
A series of ascending numbers where the first number is indicative of the print run, a letter or group of letters, and a descending series of numbers where the last number is indicative of the year printed.
Example: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ABC 16 15 14
This indicates the book is from the first printing and was printed in 2014.
A single number indicative of the print run followed by a two-digit number indicative of the year printed.
Example: 1 16
This indicates the book is from the first printing and was printed in 2016.
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