Color Printing

Ink makers developed sample books to show their customers exactly what ink colors were available for their print jobs. This sample book was a system by which a printer could try out various color combinations (812 possibilities in all!) without having to pull a press proof. The first booklet contained a set of frames printing in various colors with oval cut-outs which could be overlaid onto different-colored image from the second booklet.

image of ink mill
Ruxton, Philip, New York. "Inklings. [Specimen Books for Ruxton Inks.]."(1903-). 667.5.1 Crerar Library