If you've just started your love affair with fine prints, you're sure to want a better understanding of just what this thing is and how its unique character came about. Griffiths's book would work well as your first guide to the technique and history of printmaking.
The tour starts with the major categories of technique (relief, intaglio, litho, and silkscreen), then discusses the extensions needed for printing in multiple colors, followed by a summary of photo processes applicable to each technique. This isn't a how-to for the aspiring printmaker or an academically meticulous history. Instead, it's just enough to let the new printlover know what the words mean and what the differences are, along with a sketch of the major who and when in printmaking innovation. I fault it only for under-representing the incredible art and technique of the Japanese woodcut masters.
Illustrations abound, demonstrating nearly every point that Griffiths brings up. The bibliography by itself is worth attention - it not only lists sources of information, it categorizes them by areas of interest and adds other comments about each one. Very few bibliographies in any field offer that kind of help to the reader. And, as the beginner might hope, it ends with a list of common abbreviations and a strong glossary. This book is a great way to introduce new printlovers to the object their of affection.
-- wiredweird