What is Risograph?
The risograph is a duplicator machine that works like a mix between screenprinting and a photocopier.

The risograph can quickly and economically make vibrant prints with a variety of tones and textures. It does this by printing only one layer of an image at a time— each layer is a different color of ink, and for each layer the machine makes a unique master, a stencil through which ink is printed.

How does it print in color?
Each layer of ink in a risograph print requires its own grayscale image to make a master with.

Areas of black at 100% opacity in your grayscale image will print as 100% opacity of whatever color ink you print with— for example, red.

The midtones in your grayscale image will print as lighter versions of the color ink you print with.

For example, if you print with red ink, all your grays will turn into shades of light red.

Do not send the risograph an image in color— it can only make a master from a grayscale image!

Can I layer colors?
You sure can! Risograph inks are transparent and can layer and mix beautifully. You will have to make a separate grayscale image for each layer of color you print.

Some ink colors are less transparent than others, so they will mix less. For example, 100% red on top of 100% yellow just makes red, not orange! The order in which layers print changes how colors mix too.

For rough idea of how two colors might overlap, you can use our Color Mixer tool, linked here (.psd file).

 

Risograph File Preparation

• PSD or AI file ONLY with separate grayscale layers, each labeled by ink color. (e.g. if you want a layer to print in blue, label it “blue”)
• Image must fit on the paper you’re printing on, with room for 0.25 inch margins on all sides. Maximum image size = 10.5x16.5 inch.
• We do not accept color images without grayscale separations

Step-by-step:
1.)  Create a separate folder for each color you want to print with.

1a.)  Optional: Set your folders’ Blending Mode to Multiply to simulate transparent inks mixing.

2.)  Create a new layer directly above one of your folders.

3.)  Set the new layer’s Blending Mode to Screen and right-click to select Create Clipping Mask.

4.)  Use the Paint Bucket tool to fill the new layer with 100% opacity of the color you want to print with.

5.)  Repeat for each folder.

6.)  Now you can add or make grayscale drawings, photos, type, etc. inside your folders. They should automatically show up in color.

7.)  To check that you did it right, click the eyeball icon next to one of your layers with 100% opacity color. Your image should turn from color to grayscale.

Remember: Each color you print with must have a separate folder. No mixing colors in a single folder.

Common Mistakes

File not formatted correctly 

• Need help? Email riso@mica.edu to make an appointment with us during open hours!

Expecting perfect alignment

• Multiple colors rarely line up perfectly. Design your image to still look good if a layer shifts.

• Multi-color text is highly discouraged— even slight misregistration can render your print illegible.

Special characters in a filename
• Our online submission form can’t accept files with special characters in their names.

File inconsistent with submission form
• The colors you are requesting to print in the form must match the labeled layers in your file. (ex. If you request Red/Blue please have Red/Blue layers in your file.)

No Margins
• We cannot print full-bleed. Leave a 0.25 inch margin around all sides of your print if you don’t want your image to get cut off. For example, if you are printing on 11”x17” paper, your image must be no larger than 10.5”x16.5”.

Colors too dark
• Large areas of 100% color can make the machine jam or your print smudge. Lower the opacity of such areas to 85%. (Don’t worry, it will still look dark!)

Colors too light
• Some ink colors print like white at low opacities. Increase the opacity of light colors to 25%.

Misunderstanding lab hours
• Pick up finished prints or talk to a riso tech during lab hours only! We are busy printing.

Deadline issues
• Print jobs take about a week to finish. For class assignments, you must submit files to us at least a week before your deadline. You will be notified by email when your prints are ready.