The main difference between pre-printing and post-printing is whether it has passed the test of peer review system. Pre-printed edition refers to any edition before peer review and publication, usually refers to the edition when it is submitted to a journal; Post-printing plate refers to any version that has been peer-reviewed. Sometimes two post-printed versions are distinguished: (1) refers to the version that has been peer-reviewed but not edited, and (2) refers to the version that has been peer-reviewed and edited. Some journals allow authors to store the first type of post-printing in open access warehouses, but not the second type.

The difference between a pre-printed copy and a post-printed copy is called proofreading or errata. Therefore, pre-printing plus proofreading is equivalent to post-printing, that is, pre-printing+errata = post-printing. Some publishers don't allow authors to archive printed copies. The author can store the preprint of the paper first, and then add the errata after the paper is officially published, that is, the open archiving mode of preprint plus proofreading.