flat-printed
|flat-print-ed|
/ˈflætˌprɪn.tɪd/
(flat-print)
printed flat
Etymology
'flat-printed' originates from combining the English words 'flat' and 'print', where 'flat' (Old English 'flǣt'/'flæt') meant 'level, broad' and 'print' comes from Middle English 'print(en)' ultimately from Old French and Latin 'premere' meaning 'to press'.
'flat-printed' developed in modern English as a compound of 'flat' + 'print'. The verb 'print' evolved from Middle English 'printen' (borrowed from Old French forms related to 'preindre/empreindre') derived from Latin 'premere' ('to press'), and 'flat' comes from Old English 'flǣt'/'flæt' meaning 'level'.
Initially, elements related to 'print' focused on the action 'to press'. Over time, compounds like 'flat-printed' came to describe the method or visual quality of printing on a flat surface or in a flat (non-relief, non-glossy) style.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'flat-print': to have printed something in a flat manner or by pressing onto a flat surface.
The labels were flat-printed to ensure a smooth surface for packaging.
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Adjective 1
printed onto a surface without embossing, debossing, foil, or other raised/relief effects — i.e., a smooth, unraised print.
The invitation was flat-printed rather than embossed, giving it a clean, simple look.
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Adjective 2
printed using flat (solid) colors or a flat design style, often with little or no shading, gloss, or depth.
The poster was flat-printed in bold, matte colors to suit the minimalist layout.
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Last updated: 2025/08/17 15:37