film prints

Celluloid distribution copies

Film prints are physical copies of a motion picture on celluloid or polyester stock, used for projection in theaters.

Before digital distribution, studios shipped prints to cinemas worldwide: The film opened on 3,000 prints.

Prints degrade with repeated use—scratches, color fading, splice marks.

Archivists and collectors prize pristine prints of classic films.

The term distinguishes physical projection copies from negatives, digital files, or home video formats.

Related

frames · emulsion · sprockets · cinema · archival · nitrate · screening · laboratory · developing · copies · distribution · 35mm · scratches · splicing · vault · restoration · acetate · footage

Opposites
medium/format

film printsdigital cinema

Computerized movie distribution system

digital projection · streaming media · digital copies · hard drives · digital distribution

archival state

film printssource material

Original work adapted from

Family

film, prints, films, filmed, filming, filmy, filmier, filmiest, filminess

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G