painoksia

Painoksia is the plural form of painos in Finnish, and it refers to editions or print runs of a published work. The term is used in publishing, libraries, and bibliographies to describe a specific release produced by a publisher, typically involving a particular set of copies that share the same text, illustrations, and pagination.

Etymology and meaning: The word painos comes from the verb painaa, meaning to press or to print, with the suffix -os forming a noun that indicates the result or product of pressing. Painoksia thus designates multiple such releases, as opposed to a single edition.

Usage in publishing and libraries: In catalog records and bibliographies, painoksia helps distinguish between different printings or editions of the same title. The singular painos denotes one edition or printing, while painoksia refers to several. Common descriptors include ensimmäinen painos (the first edition), toinen painos (the second edition), uudistettu painos or päivitetty painos (a revised or updated edition), and uusintapainos (a reprint). Editions may differ in text, pagination, illustrations, forewords, or other content, and cataloging practices often track editions separately to reflect these changes.

Modern context: With the rise of digital publishing, the concept of painos remains most closely tied to printed copies, though catalogs may also use it to denote digital editions when relevant. In contemporary publishing, each new edition or major reprint is commonly assigned its own bibliographic record, and ISBNs are typically associated with specific editions rather than all printings of a title. Painoksia thus serve as a practical way to reference the evolution of a work across time.