Printer's Devil

A printer's devil is an old term for a small, accidental ink mark or smudge that appears on printed documents. Historically, it referred to a tiny speck or blemish—often resembling a devil's footprint—that would occur during the printing process, usually caused by dust, debris, or dirt on the printing press. While it’s a benign imperfection, it could sometimes be mistaken for a printing error. Today, the term is rarely used, but it remains a colorful reminder of traditional printing mishaps and the attention to detail required in printing work.