The Codex Foundation exists to preserve and promote the art and craft of the book. Our mission is educational and, in the broadest possible context, to bring to public recognition the artisanship and the rich history of the civilizations of the book.

The art and craft of the book depends upon the knowledge of traditional forms, design, and hand-manufacture; as well as familiarity with the latest technologies, imaging sciences, and automated printing machines. The knowledge essential to the continued life of traditional forms of hand-manufacture and the transmission of that knowledge is seriously endangered in our age of electro-mechanical reproduction and digital information. Now, more than ever, the fine arts of the book need patronage and strategic support in order to thrive.

In the United States, for example, we note that there are only a handful of workshops still capable of publishing a hand-produced book for the marketplace in a sophisticated, responsible way. Although humanistic, artistic, and literary traditions still inspire young people to pursue careers in typography, printing, and publishing, opportunities to learn the historical methods of manufacturing (hand paper-making, hand book-binding, typefounding and letterpress printing) from master artisans are fast disappearing. How will these traditions survive? Traditional craft knowledge cannot be transmitted in universities, art schools, and book arts centers alone. The few remaining professional artisans in whose workshops these skills are still practiced are decreasing rapidly in number, and are in need of our support in order to flourish and to transmit their culture and knowledge to the next generation.

The importance of educating the marketplace must not be underestimated. Public recognition of the historical depth and value of the arts of the book is vital. Without the patronage of educated consumers and collectors these time-honored traditions will disappear and with them the skills and disciplines that are necessary to ensure the survival of the hand-produced book.

The Codex constituency consists of professional and amateur artisans, educators, publishers, artists, writers, and scholars who demonstrate an interest in the art of the book. These include printers, paper makers and book-binders; print makers, calligraphers, and book designers; type designers and type founders; manufacturers and vendors of presses and inks; librarians, archivists and conservators; bibliophiles and booksellers; academic and professional educators in the book arts and the history of the book; bibliophilic clubs and book arts organizations; in short, all scholars, artists, and students pursuing interests in the history and art of the book.