RISOGRAPH (Riso)
This is not a copier.
The risograph is a digital press, invented in the late twentieth century to fulfill the high output requirements of churches, law firms, and schools. In recent years this technology has been adopted by artists and designers for its unique and appealing aesthetic.
After digital files are prepared and sent to print, the riso burns a stencil of your image into a natural fiber paper like “master”. The master is wrapped around a color drum and spins as paper is fed into the machine. Ink is pushed through the master making a print on the paper.
INKS
Riso inks are non-petroleum, soy-based or rice-based, and low VOC. Below are our current ink colors.
Black
Bright Red
Yellow
Blue
Mint
Light Lime
Sunflower
Fluorescent Pink
More colors can be produced by layering/mixing inks (process colors)
4 Color Process Flat Gold, Bright Red, Medium Blue, Black
Designed by Colin Sutherland
11 x 17 Artist Print
PAPER
Stock Paper:
Cougar NATURAL – #80 Cover
Cougar White – #80 Cover
Mohawk Via Vellum Cream White – 80# Cover & 70# Text
Mohawk Via Vellum Cream White – 80# Cover & 70# Text
We can accommodate custom paper orders and would highly suggest French Paper Company Papers. https://www.frenchpaper.com/
The Riso can only print on uncoated paper, with a maximum paper size of 11×17.
FORMATTING FILES
It is a good idea to keep the Riso printing process in mind when designing your project. Take a look at our available ink colors and their value scales(above) to help you with this process.
Files are sent to print in the form of 11×17″ or 8.5×11″ grayscale pdfs. Each color will require it’s own pdf. In your design black will equate to 100% coverage of whatever color is being printed, lighter grays generate less coverage and therefore create lighter values (as long as a light colored paper is being used).
The Riso automatically creates halftones.
Printable area is approximately 10.25 x 16.25″ for 11×17″ paper and 7.75in x 10.25″ for 8.5×11″ paper.
I repeat, printable area is approximately 10.25 x 16.25″ for 11×17″ paper and 7.75in x 10.25″ for 8.5×11″ paper.
Please include a small bleed and crop marks for full bleed projects.
We are happy to help you with this process or answer any questions you may have.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Colors are printed one at a time and register will occasionally be slightly off (colors not exactly lining up).
Paper is fed through the machine via paper feed rollers. When paper is fed through the machine multiple times ink can transfer from rollers to paper leaving “track marks”. We will work to our best ability to minimize and avoid this.
Riso uses liquid ink that drys through absorption. Heavy ink coverage can lead to smudging and transferring between pages. Even after a print has dried smudging can occure, heavy ink coverage is not be ideal for book covers or any project that will often be handled. Small price to pay for those beautiful soy based inks!
These qualities and limitations should not only be noted but embraced. These occurrences and slight variations within the edition are the great Riso qualities that people go crazy for.
REQUEST A QUOTE
info[at]woollypress[dot]com