The paper aims at discussing the main findings of a research project, which examines the role of printed grammars and popular texts on the reduction of Early Modern Greek (EMG, 16th-17th c.) variation in the process of its codification and standardization. The degree of tolerance towards inter- and intra-variation is investigated on the basis of data provided by (a) the grammars of vernacular Greek, written by Nikolaos Sophianos (first half of the 16th c.), Girolamo Germano (1622) and Simon Portius (1638) and (b) successive editions of popular prose texts, including Kartanos’ Palaia te kai Nea Diathiki, Stoudites’ Thissavros, (pseudo)Dorotheos’ Chronografos, Christianiki Katichissi, translated by L. Filaras and Landos’ Geoponikon. This comparative examination suggests that during the 16th and 17th centuries codification included –to a large extent– variation and that the printed book contributed to the reduction of EMG antagonistic types at a much slower rate than it is generally acknowledged.