A Risograph (or Riso for short - prounounced "REE-ZO") is a Japanese printer that works like an electronic silkscreen machine. The risograph leaves a satisfying matte finish print on uncoated paper using eco-friendly, semi-transparent inks made of rice and soy.
Colours are printed onto the paper one layer at a time using a stencil and an ink drum. Ink colours are stored in separate drums (pictured below) and swapped out of the riso when printing.
Check out the riso and printing process in action!
Here's our riso at the Mezzaluna Studio print shop:
Colours are printed onto the paper one layer at a time using a stencil and an ink drum. Ink colours are stored in separate drums (pictured below) and swapped out of the riso when printing.
Check out the riso and printing process in action!
Here's our riso at the Mezzaluna Studio print shop:
On a trip to Japan, Mezzaluna Studio designer Vikki Wiercinski got to print her artwork on a risograph printer at Handsaw Press, a Tokyo artist studio and print shop. Walking out the door of the print shop into the spring Tokyo evening, fresh riso prints in hand, Vikki knew she needed to get one of these printers for her own paper goods, and challenge herself to become her own printer. Staying true to her roots in design, she blends technical know-how and sharp graphics for artistic results.
Risograph ink drums:
The riso process is a lot like silkscreening, and each print turns out uniquely and deliciously different. It is natural for slight imperfections exist in the printing, it is part of this totally delightful medium - no print is quite the same.
Riso printing is beloved by artists and graphic designers everywhere, so of course, we're obsessed too!
→ Check out the Mezzaluna Studio risograph printed greeting cards and paper goods here. They're all artist-designed and handmade in studio!