Image: Retro Supply Co.
Risograph prints are produced by a digital duplicator that operates like an old mimeograph machine. The technology was introduced in Japan in 1980. First, the risograph duplicator creates a stencil of the artwork and covers it around an internal colour drum. That drum spins quickly, transferring ink onto a sheet of paper. Unlike a photocopier, it does not print in CMYK. Each machine has two ink drums, allowing for two colours per pass. The resulting “digital stamps” are vibrant, have a unique texture and differ slightly from print to print. Many people like making Risographs because they are a cheap alternative to classic silkscreen printing. Lyndsey Burke, owner of Resolve Studio, says, “Riso printing can be an inaccurate and unpredictable print process. Imperfect registration, smudging, and uneven coverage are a few of the many quirks that come with this print process.” For many graphic designers, this is precisely the look they are after.
Image: Peacock Visual Arts