RISO Printing Basics with the Makerspace

Join us in the Makerspace (Park 157) to learn how to use the RISO stencil duplicator (also known as Risograph). Print mini-editions of your own art, comics, posters, zines and more! 

The Risograph is a digital screen printing tool that lets artists and designers achieve a look similar to silkscreen without the use of a full print shop.

During the first hour of this workshop, we'll look at some of the ways stencils and stencil duplicators have been used to create bright and engaging art. The Risograph prints a single color of ink at a time: you will explore the strengths and limitations of this process by drafting onto multiple sheets of paper: one for each color you intend to use. Each participant will have the opportunity to set up and print the first layer of a two color print during the workshop.

We will briefly demonstrate how to work with spot colors in Illustrator (and will offer more support for digital tools in a future workshop), but this is not a digital design workshop-- we will work quickly to create and scan works on paper. Pens, markers and paper will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own art supplies or collage materials if they wish.

The second hour (optional) is available for anyone who wishes to spend a little more time on their design. We encourage you to stay and experiment!

RISO ink requires some time to dry, so participants will schedule a follow-up appointment in the Makerspace to print the second color of their print.