overprint

American  

[oh-ver-print, oh-ver-print] / ˌoʊ vərˈprɪnt, ˈoʊ vərˌprɪnt /

verb (used with object)

1. Printing. to print additional material or another color on a form or sheet previously printed.

---

noun

1. Printing. a quantity of printing in excess of that desired; overrun.

2. Philately.

   1. any word, inscription, or device written or printed on the face of a stamp that alters, limits, or describes its use, place of issue, or character.

   2. a stamp so marked.

overprint British  

verb

1. (tr) to print (additional matter or another colour) on a sheet of paper

---

noun

1. additional matter or another colour printed onto a previously printed sheet

2. additional matter, other than a change in face value, applied to a finished postage stamp by printing, stamping, etc See also surcharge provisional

Etymology

Origin of overprint

First recorded in 1850–55; over- + print

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overprint

He badgers librarians with questions and requests curators to conduct spectral tests on selected pictures to see what concealed image lurks beneath layers of overprint.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 25, 2023

The bank's governor John Mangudya says they will not overprint the note, which is backed by a 200 million US dollar facility.

From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2016

If top line of knee produced to border, it cuts through the centre of the letter "S." in "Postage," in G. but through letter "O" in F. Cyprus.—The line-engraved Great Britain issue with overprint.

From Peeps at Postage Stamps by Stanley Currie Johnson

Similar stamps, but with overprint reading "TOGO—OCCUPATION—FRANCO-ANGLAISE," and new value in French currency.

From The Postage Stamp in War by Fred. J. Melville

The overprint is in two lines of Turkish characters.

From The Postage Stamp in War by Fred. J. Melville