RISO printing

At first glance, the machine looks like an ordinary copy machine, but it is not!
The process is sort of a mix of screen printing and the old-fashioned stencil machine. You enter a black and white image and it comes out in one of the specific RISO colors, over which another image in another color can be printed, often with the characteristic “perfect” imperfections.
It allows you to create special work in edition (posters, cards, prints, zines…), relatively inexpensively and also environmentally friendly: it works with vegetable ink based on rice bran, it is energy efficient and does not use harmful substances.

For a tryout you can sign up for a RISO workshop

Please note: This course will be in English and/or in Dutch

Each block has a particular exciting subject:

10-24 October: Pop Art Portraits
16 Jan – 6 Feb: Botanical Prints
13 Feb – 13 March: Duotone photos
15 May – 12 June: Folded Zine with Poster
19 June – 10 July: From Monoprint to Risoprint

What is RISO?

Risograph printing is a technique best described as a ‘digital screen printing’. The process is similar to screen printing, but with the convenience of an office copier. It’s known for its vivid colours (that other printers can’t produce) and its specific textures. These machines deliver ‘perfect imperfections’ and provide a cheap and easy method for reproducing work at large quantities, like posters, prints and zines.

And, last but not least: RISO is environmentally friendly: vegetable-based ink which is made from rice bran oil, it is energy efficient, with no harmful emissions and minimal waste.

What will you learn in the course RISO printing?

You will get to know about the riso printer and its possibilities and play around with it.

You will dive into the topic of the course, (Pop Art Portraits, Botanical prints, Duotone photos, folded Zine and Poster, from Monoprint to Risoprint) experiment and play with the possibilities and restrictions of the RISO, make use of gradients and overlapping colors and be surprised by the results.

You will be preparing your design to be printed with the RISO machine. You will learn prepare and plan the printing process, the actual printing and cutting and any further finishing as desired.

Is RISO printing for you?

This course is for everyone who is interested in the possibilities of RISO. It it suited to beginners but also people who are more advanced. It can be done completely by hand or you can use your favorite application to prepare the files to be printed.

What do you need for RISO printing?

All materials are included. If you want to print on special paper you are asked to bring it yourself. If you want to work digitally you should have a computer with one of the Adobe applications: Indesign / Photoshop / Illustrator or an iPad with Procreate.

PLEASE NOTE:

This course is about exploring and experimenting with the possibilities of the machine. You will be able to make a publication in an edition of 20 in 2 colors (or more, in consultation with the teacher).
If you would like to make a big(ger) edition you should have completed this course and plan an appointment through: grafischevormgeving@mk24.nl