risograph

Risograph, commonly known as Riso, is a printing method that uses stencil masters and soy-based ink to produce vibrant, layered color prints. It sits between mimeography and offset printing and is popular for zines, posters, and educational materials because of its speed, low cost, and distinctive aesthetic.

Mechanism: A Risograph machine uses a rotating drum and color ink drums. A master sheet is exposed to create a stencil and then wrapped around the drum. For each color, a separate master is loaded and the paper passes through the machine; printing one color per pass. When layers of different colors are overlaid, the result is bright, slightly grainy halftones. The ink dries quickly on most papers.

History and use: The technology was developed by Riso Kagaku Corporation in Japan during the 1980s. It found favor in schools, community studios, and independent publishers for rapid, cost-effective short runs and the ability to use heavy stock or colored papers.

Aesthetics and limitations: Risograph prints have a characteristic texture with uneven solids and visible halftone dots. Color alignment can vary between passes, giving a unique look but less precision. It is not ideal for high-detail photographic reproductions or very long runs due to master wear and color throughput limits.

Modern practice: Contemporary users combine digital design tools with Risograph printing and run small editions. The method remains popular for art prints, zines, and activism materials, valued for its tactile quality, environmental friendliness of soy inks, and economical production at moderate quantities.