Riso Primer

Here's What You Need to Know

Risograph duplicators are stencil based printing machines that are like a melding of xerox copying & screenprinting. Risos produce analog printed matter from digital or analog originals.

Disclaimer: The results aren't perfect. That is the charm of the risograph. If you need perfect, find another way.

Risographs Use Spot Colors

This is different from CMYK printing, where four colors are used to generate all colors. Spot color means single colors of ink are printed. Two colors can be used to make a three-color image because riso ink is transparent. Colors can be stacked to make new colors.

• Riso ink is soy based and therefore relatively safe and eco-friendly
• Risographic printers can print only on papers that are uncoated and under 250gsm. Nothing too smooth.
• Nothing too thick. Nothing too thin. You want a toothy finish (often called vellum). Riso ink does not like glossy paper stock
• Risographic ink is translucent, so its final appearance will be affected by the color of the paper it is printed on.
• There will be feed marks, especially when printing more than one run or double sided. The riso uses rubber tires to feed the paper into the press. If there is heavy ink coverage already on the page the riso will leave tire marks on the sheet. Some of these can be rubbed off with an eraser, some can't.
• Prints are stacked on top of each other when they come out of the riso so heavy ink will cause transfer between prints.

File Prep

Files should be brought to us pre-formatted, following these guidelines.

1. The max size you are able to print is 11x17 inches, but always remember, the riso will create a border for you...so no bleed prints.
2. If you are working digitally, bring your files in as a grayscale psd, with your layers labeled for each color you plan to print! It makes things go much faster!
3. If you are bringing in hand drawn work or materials to scan, work in grays & blacks! (i.e. pencils, pens, markers, ink washes, etc.)

Don't Just Design — Design for Riso

You should expect misregistration to occur and be pleasantly surprised if things register well.