Riso Printing
High Volume, High Quality Art Prints
What’s a Risograph?
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.
Source: Risopop
HOW DOES RISO WORK?
The RISO sees in grayscale but prints in color.
Darker areas will have the greatest ink density while lighter areas will have less. Only one color is printed at a time, allowing for layering, or overprint.
Available Colors
✜ Available for MZ790U (Up to 11”x17”)
PURPLE ✜
HEX 765BA7
PANTONE 2685 U
RGB 118, 91, 167
CMYK 61, 73, 0, 0
BRIGHT RED ✜
HEX F15060
PANTONE 032 U
RGB 241, 80, 96
CMYK 0, 67, 60, 5
TEAL ✜
HEX 00838A
PANTONE 321 U
RGB 0, 131, 138
CMYK 100, 1, 40, 7
FEDERAL BLUE ✜
HEX 3D5588
PANTONE 288 U
RGB 61, 85, 136
CMYK 100, 65, 1, 17
HUNTER GREEN ✜
HEX 407060
PANTONE 342 U
RGB 64, 112, 96
CMYK 96, 7, 80, 33
BLACK ✜ ✻
HEX 000000
PANTONE BLACK U
RGB 0, 0, 0
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 100
✻ Available for SF5130 (Up to 8.5”x14”)
KELLY GREEN ✻
HEX 67B346
PANTONE 368 U
RGB 103, 179, 70
CMYK 52, 0, 86, 0
YELLOW ✜ ✻
HEX FFE800
PANTONE YELLOW U
RGB 255, 232, 0
CMYK 0, 9, 100, 0
FLUOR PINK ✻
HEX FF48B0
PANTONE 806 U
RGB 255, 72, 176
CMYK 0, 72, 31, 0
BLACK ✜ ✻
HEX 000000
PANTONE BLACK U
RGB 0, 0, 0
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 100
LIGHT TEAL ✻
HEX 009DA5
PANTONE 320 U
RGB 0, 157, 165
CMYK 93, 0, 36, 0
Risograph Pricing + Limitations
A benefit of risograph printing is the screen printing quality but at high volumes, bringing costs very low.
That said, every project is different, so we encourage filling out the form linked below for a accurate printing quote.
Checklist for Print File Preparation:
1. Prepare separate grayscale PDF files for each ink color.
2. Ensure clear file naming, e.g., yourname_artwork_inkcolour.pdf.
3. Set your file size to the paper size you are printing.
4. Maintain a minimum of 10mm blank margins on all edges (maximum printable area of 400 x 277mm).
5. Set the resolution to 300dpi for high-quality printing.
6. Flatten all layers before exporting your PDF.
7. Don't forget to include a full-color proof of your final design.
Available Colors:
Up to Legal Size (8.5"x11"/8.5"x14)
Fluor Pink Ink
Kelly Green Ink
Light Teal Ink
Yellow Ink
Black Ink
Up to Tabloid (8.5"x11"/8.5"x14/11"x17")
Federal Blue Ink
Purple Ink
Yellow
Black Ink
Bright Red Ink
Hunter Green
Teal Ink
Expect Variation:
Due to the nature of the risograph, variation in the prints will occur.
Some recommendations:
Include “Trapping” in your design to accommodate misregistration
Avoid large areas of dark color, ink may have bleed through paper or print unevenly
Avoid heavy ink coverage in the middle and top of the page - especially when printing double-sided - to reduce the chance of smudges or roller marks.
Pricing:
(1) Masters
Each master is $3.00
(2) Paper
Here are the paper stocks available:
Neenah 8.5”x11” White Cardstock - $0.10/pg
Neenah 8.5”x11” Cream Cardstock - $0.15/pg
Neenah 11”x17” 57lb White Cardstock - $0.20/pg
Custom Paper - TBD
(3) Ink
Each ink run is $0.06
Labor
Service Fee (<200 Ink Runs) - 15%
Large Order Service Fee (>200 Ink Runs) - 25%
Discounts
Student, educator, or non-profit organization - 10% Off
Bulk discount (100 sheets+) - 2% Off
Bulk discount (200 sheets+) - 5% Off
Bulk discount (400 sheets+) - 10% Off
Artist Resident Discount
THE RISOGRAPH
RESIDENCY
2023 Cohort
Residents receive:
- Free 100 Edition Printing (letter-sized)
- A $100 stipend as payment for 50 editions wholesale
The current colors available to residents are Flourescent Pink, Kelly Green, and Black. Funds collected by the sale of wholesale prints will be used to fund future rounds of residents, the purchase of new colors for the risograph printer, and a future space for a true in-person residency.
2024 Spring Application Opens Soon
