also blue-print, 1882, from blue (adj.1) + print (n.). The process uses blue on white, or white on blue. Figurative sense of "detailed plan" is attested from 1926. As a verb by 1939.
a blueprint for a house
blue-jacket
blue-jeans
blueness
blue-nose
blue-plate
blueprint
blues
bluestocking
bluesy
bluff
bluffing