Risograph printing has captured the hearts of artists and designers worldwide for nearly four decades. Its accessibility and compact nature have made it a go-to method for creatives to self-produce and publish their work, and to collaborate with others. Today, we’re joined by Risolve, a family-run print studio, to explore the captivating world of Riso Print. We’ll delve into its origins, unique characteristics, and how you can embark on your own riso print journey.
The riso print movement began gaining momentum in the international art and design scene in the 1980s. Its appeal lay in its affordability and space-saving footprint, making it an accessible tool for independent creators. Many riso studios, much like Risolve, started as passion projects in living rooms or home studios. A pioneering force in this movement was Knust Press in the Netherlands. They adopted digital duplicators in the mid-1980s, providing a cost-effective solution for producing prints, artist books, and zines. Since then, the riso print community has flourished, with studios emerging across the globe. The United States has witnessed a significant surge in riso print popularity in recent years, with designers utilizing it for diverse creations, from illustrations and stationery to books and beyond.
risograph-printing
Understanding the Riso Machine and the Printing Process
The riso print process is powered by the Risograph, a digital duplicator invented by the Riso Kagaku Corporation of Tokyo, Japan in the mid-1980s. Think of it as a modern evolution of the mimeograph machine or stencil printer. The Risograph works by creating a stencil internally from a digital file. This stencil, called a master, is then wrapped around a drum filled with vibrant ink. As the drum rotates at high speed, ink is forced through the stencil and onto the paper, resulting in a distinctive textured print that is truly unique to the riso print method.
“Unlike conventional digital printing, riso print operates exclusively with spot colors, bypassing the standard CMYK palette and opening up a universe of color possibilities.”
A defining characteristic of riso print is its use of spot colors. Unlike digital printing which often relies on CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) to create a spectrum of colors, riso print uses individual ink colors applied one layer at a time. This spot color approach means that the color possibilities are virtually limitless. At Risolve Studio, for example, they boast a collection of over 30 different spot colors, including striking fluorescent hues ranging from vibrant greens to intense pinks. Similar to screen printing, achieving a four-color riso print requires four separate inks and four unique stencils, one for each color layer. Compared to other spot color printing techniques like screen printing or offset printing, riso print generally offers a more economical solution for short to medium print runs, typically ranging from 100 to 10,000 copies.
risograph texture
The Eco-Friendly Edge of Riso Print
Riso print stands out as an environmentally conscious printing choice. All riso inks are formulated with vegetable oil bases, a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based inks. Furthermore, riso ink dries primarily through absorption into uncoated paper, rather than relying on energy-intensive chemical dryers or heat processes. This absorption-based drying method contributes to the low power consumption associated with riso print.
Each riso ink color is housed in its own portable drum, which can be easily inserted into and removed from the machine as needed. This drum system minimizes ink waste and eliminates the need for harsh chemicals or extensive cleaning stations between print jobs. When switching colors or completing a run, the riso drum is simply removed, the stencil is discarded, and the drum is stored for future use. When combined with the option to use FSC certified and high post-consumer waste recycled papers, riso print emerges as a truly environmentally friendly and sustainable printing process.
Embracing the Quirks and Unique Imperfections
Riso print is known for its charming imperfections and unpredictable nature. It’s important to remember that Risograph machines were originally designed for office duplication, not high-precision printing. Therefore, characteristics like slight misregistration (colors not aligning perfectly), smudging, and variations in ink coverage are inherent to the riso print aesthetic.
“If you appreciate embracing the beauty of imperfection and are excited by experimental outcomes, riso print will be an ideal creative partner.”
Another aspect to consider is that riso inks are not archival, meaning they may fade over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. The color palette is also limited to the specific spot colors offered by each riso print studio. If your project demands absolute perfection and color consistency, another printing method might be more suitable. However, if you are drawn to the unique character and artistic possibilities that arise from these inherent quirks, riso print offers a world of creative exploration.
risograph prints
Designing Effectively for Riso Print
For designers accustomed to the precision of digital design, creating for riso print requires a shift in perspective. Designing for print in general differs from web design, and riso print introduces its own set of unique considerations. Here are essential tips to ensure your riso print project gets off to a successful start:
1. Seek Inspiration from Riso Print Examples
Immerse yourself in the world of riso print by exploring online platforms like Dribbble, searching for “risograph projects“. Browse portfolios and online examples to gain a visual understanding of the riso aesthetic. Whenever possible, examine physical riso printed pieces to truly appreciate the texture and color vibrancy firsthand. Many riso studios, including Risolve, showcase online portfolios and provide comprehensive printing information on their websites. Don’t hesitate to request swatch books or sample packs to experience riso ink colors in person.
Seeing riso ink colors physically, rather than relying on computer monitor displays, can be transformative for your project’s color decisions.
2. Curate Your Color Palette
For most riso print projects, limiting your color palette to 1 to 4 ink colors is a good starting point. Remember the magic of overprinting! By layering riso inks, you can create a wider range of hues. For example, combining blue and yellow ink will yield green, and layering fluorescent pink and aqua ink can produce a vibrant purple. Experiment with color combinations to expand your palette within a limited ink selection.
riso-ink-colors
3. Embrace Layered Design Thinking
Riso print is a layered printing process, similar to screen printing. Each ink color is applied in successive layers. Your design files need to be prepared with this layering in mind, typically through color separation. Risolve Studio offers video tutorials on their website to guide you through the color separation process. While this layered approach might initially seem complex for designers new to print, mastering color separation unlocks a deeper understanding of how to control the final outcome of your riso print and becomes a surprisingly intuitive skill.
color-separation-riso
4. Consult Your Riso Printer
When in doubt, always reach out to your riso printer for advice! Experienced riso studios have seen a vast array of projects and possess valuable insights into what translates effectively to riso print and what adjustments might be needed. Don’t hesitate to seek their guidance – they can offer suggestions and help you realize your creative vision in ways you might not have initially considered.
Bringing Riso Effects to Your Digital Projects
Excited by the riso print aesthetic but don’t have immediate access to a Risograph printer? The good news is that you can still experiment with risograph textures and effects in your digital creations. A wealth of ready-to-use risograph textures, brushes, and photo effects are available to infuse your digital work with the unique charm of riso print.
Risograph Brush Kit for Procreate
Achieve a speckled and textured riso look in your Procreate illustrations, zines, and abstract art with dedicated brush kits. These kits often include a variety of riso brushes and supplementary assets.
risograph-brushes-procreate
Risograph Overprint Effects for Photoshop
Give your digital designs a vintage, grungy edge with risograph overprint effect packs for Photoshop. These packs typically include grain overlays and textures, ideal for posters, flyers, social media content, and website graphics.
risograph-effect-photoshop
Riso Brushes for Procreate: Expand Your Digital Toolkit
Further expand your digital riso toolkit with diverse collections of Riso brushes for Procreate. Experiment with blending modes to fine-tune the desired riso print effect in your digital artwork. These brush sets often include a range of risograph brushes, color palettes, and paper textures.
riso-brushes-procreate-collection
50 Risograph Textures and Poster Assets
Fuel your creativity with extensive libraries of risograph textures and pre-designed poster assets in contemporary styles. These texture packs are versatile resources for adding a modern Risograph effect to any design project.
Risoprint: Realistic Risograph Grain Effects
For a streamlined approach to achieving realistic risograph overprint looks, explore tools like Risoprint. These user-friendly resources allow you to combine your images with custom color selections and grain intensity levels, effortlessly replicating the authentic riso aesthetic. Download effect collections to unlock these realistic textures.
risograph-grain-texture-effect-photoshop
Print is Alive and Thriving!
From artists and illustrators to graphic novelists and designers, creatives across disciplines are embracing riso print for a wide spectrum of projects. Books, zines, art prints, posters, flyers, business cards, tags, menus, postcards, greeting cards, calendars, record inserts, and boxed card sets are just a few examples of the diverse applications of riso print. Riso print is undeniably a uniquely beautiful and captivating print process that deserves to be experienced firsthand.
To discover more about riso print, Risolve Studio, and the author, be sure to visit RisolveStudio.com.
About the author: Lyndsey Burke is a graphic designer, printer, and co-owner of the riso print studio Risolve. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Risolve Studio champions the beauty and environmental sustainability of riso, bringing the visions of artists, illustrators, and designers to life through this distinctive and vibrant print method.
Written by Lyndsey Burke
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