best achievements of
hand-work will always be the standards for reference; and on their study
must machine craft be based. The machine can only increase the power
and scale of the crafts that have already been perfected by hand-work.
Their principles, and the art of their design, do not alter under the
machine. If the machine disregards these its work becomes base. And it
is under the simple conditions of a handicraft that the principles of an
art can be most clearly experienced.

The best of all the wonderful and excellent work that is produced to-day
by machinery is that which bears evidence in itself of its derivation
from arts under the pure conditions of classic craftsmanship, and shows
the influence of their study.

The series of which this book is a part stands for the principles and
the spirit of the classic examples. To be associated with those
fellow-craftsmen who have been privileged to work for the Series is
itself an honour of high estimation in the mind of the present writer.
If the book contributes even a little toward the usefulness of the
series the experiments which are recorded here will have been well
worth while.

To my friend Mr. J. D. Batten is due all the credit of the initial work.
He began the search for a pure style of colour-printing, and most
generously supported and encouraged my own experiments in the Japanese
method.

To my old colleague Mr. A. W. Seaby I would also express my indebtedness
for his kind help and advice.

F. M. F.

EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF ART,
_September 1916._

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
PAGE

Introduction and Description of the Origins of
Wood-block Printing--Its Uses for Personal
Artistic Expression, for Reproduction of
Decorative Designs, and as a Fundamental
Training for Student of Printed Decoration 1

CHAPTER II

General Description of the Operation of Printing
from a Set of Blocks 9

CHAPTER III

Description of the Materials and Tools required
for Block Cutting 17

CHAPTER IV

Block Cutting and the Planning of Blocks 23

CHAPTER V

Preparation of Paper, Ink, Colour, and Paste for
Printing