The roles of prints in society and the techniques and working habits employed by artists and publishers have changed so radically over the centuries that an overarching definition of a print is very difficult.

The views of many members of Print Council of America on this matter have changed since the publication of What is an Original Print? (originally published by Print Council of America in 1961). For more recent discussions on this topic see "On Originality," Print Collector's Newsletter 3 no. 2 (May-June 1972): 25-26, 28-29; and the discussion offered by the International Fine Print Dealer's Association: What is a Print.