This manual has been written for one simple reason. It satisfies an unfulfilled need. We felt that there was a demand for a simple darkroom manual giving a comprehensive survey of the history, theory and practice of all the ways of putting photographic images on paper, as well as on other surfaces such as fabric, ceramics, wood, metal and glass. It should contain reference only to those processes that are able to be done by the average competent photographer or printmaker. It should also avoid those processes that are either unsafe, impractical or for which materials are no longer available and which are of academic interest only.
It should (if such a thing is possible) bridge the gap between an illustrated 'coffee table' book for the general reader and a textbook for the specialised reader to dip into for specific reference.