impresión
/impɾeˈsjon/feminine
The Spanish word for printing is impresión.
impresión refers to the process or business of producing printed material. It can also refer to a physical impression or a feeling left by something. If you need the related verb, use imprimir (to print).
Meaning: the process or business of producing printed material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While impresión is the general term for the process, use estampación specifically when referring to printing patterns or designs onto surfaces like fabric. If you are referring to the physical location or the machine itself, such as a print shop or a printing press, use imprenta in some Latin American countries like Mexico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries, such as Mexico, imprenta can be used to mean a print shop or a printing press.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of impresión is impresiones.
How do you pronounce it?
/impɾeˈsjon/
Did you know?
- In a medical or forensic context, impresión can refer to a physical mark or bruise left on the skin, mirroring how a printing press leaves a mark on paper.
- In English, we use 'impressive' for things that command respect, but the Spanish adjective derived from the same root, impresionante, is much more frequently used as a casual synonym for 'amazing' or 'incredible'.
- In Spanish, the word impresión is used to describe a 'hunch' or a feeling that something is true, such as saying tengo la impresión de que… to mean 'I have the impression that…'.
Examples in context
- Normalmente empresas de impresión de todo el mundo estarán dispuestas a pagar quizás un 20 por ciento premium para comprar una impresora de Alemania, ya que las impresoras alemanas son muy sólidas y están mecanizadas con tolerancias exigentes.Printing firms around the world are generally willing to pay perhaps a 20-percent premium to buy a printing press from Germany, because the German presses are very solidly built and are machined to exacting tolerances.This sentence shows how impresión is used in a business context regarding printing firms.Tatoeba #12253047 by Fueyes, translation #3442678 by Objectivesea
- Su trabajo tiene que ver con la impresión.His job has to do with printing.This sentence uses impresión to describe a job related to the printing industry.Tatoeba #803621 by Espi, translation #286423 by CM
- La impresión de alta calidad es esencial en el mundo editorial.High-quality printing is essential in the publishing world.
- Estamos imprimiendo los informes para la reunión de mañana.We are printing the reports for tomorrow's meeting.
- La estampación de prendas requiere una técnica precisa.Printing patterns on garments requires precise technique.
- ¿Puedes imprimir una copia del documento para mí, por favor?Can you print a copy of the document for me, please?
- Voy a la imprenta a recoger los volantes.I'm going to the print shop to pick up the flyers.
- Necesito imprimir estos documentos lo antes posible, ¿puedes ayudarme?I need to print these documents as soon as possible, can you help me?
- La impresión de los libros es muy lenta.The printing of the books is very slow.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are discussing a business order at an office.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿has revisado la calidad de la impresión?Alejandro, have you checked the printing quality?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, la impresión de este lote es perfecta.Yes, Elena, the printing of this batch is perfect.
- ElenaMe alegra saber que todo salió bien.I am glad to know that everything went well.
- AlejandroPodemos enviar el pedido hoy mismo.We can send the order today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “printing” translations and entries impresión, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
