Access to the risograph was established to allow students the opportunity to experiment with this alternative printing process. The risograph is managed by designated Riso Fellows who set the hours each term. Fees for printing are at the back of this brochure.
11/15/17
Setting up artwork You must set up your own artwork by coming prepared with a black/white hard copies, or a grayscale pdf (via jump drive or email) to load onto the pc computer in the Riso Room.
Checklist Paper (100# cover or lighter, uncoated)
pdf or jpeg format (pdf preferred) Reference image or print provided Each color provided in a separate file with color included in each file name
Use the checklist opposite to prepare. You will be required to pay for errors that are your fault; we will reprint if an error is made on our end.
Vector type (not typeset in Photoshop) Grayscale for all files Large areas of color should be set to 80% black or less
paper You must provide your own paper. It should be uncoated and either letter or tabloid with a weight no greater than 100# cover. Lighter weight works best. Please bring extra sheets! Available colors
100%
90%
80%
300 dpi resolution (ideal) Crop marks + bleed (no printing to edges of the paper) Knock-out for areas you don’t want to print as an overlay when colors overlap
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
fluorescent pink fluorescent orange BRIGHT RED SUNNY ORANGE yellow hunter green MIST BRIGHT BLUE NAVY blue black
TExt + line
Grumpy wizards ma
18pt
Grumpywizards make toxic
14pt
Grumpy wizards make toxic bre
12pt
Grumpy wizards make toxic brew for the evil Qu
8pt
Grumpy wizards make toxic brew for the evil Queen and Jack
6pt
Grumpy wizards make toxic brew for the evil Queen and Jack. Grumpy wizard
5pt
3pt 2pt 1pt 0.75pt
Riso Room Riso Room Registration Black
Riso Room 80% K
100% K
Raster
0.5pt 0.25pt
Setting type It is best to set your text under 12pt in registration black to get the most solid print possible. Use normal black (100% k) for type 14pt or above to avoid an inky mess. Do not set type in PhotoShop (raster) as that will cause pixelation.
Separating Artwork Layers
Separate your artwork by color if using more than one color. Please note that registration is often not perfect on the Riso.
Yellow Layer
Pink Layer
Halftone
Duotone
overlay
The Riso halftones your images so there’s no need to apply this filter beforehand.
Supply all files as 300dpi jpeg/ pdf in black, then let us know the color you want to print. To expedite printing indicate the colors in the filenames.
Experiment with the many fun overlay opportunities the Riso provides, including the ability to make different colors.
Color Mixing
Illustration file format
Vector Illustration
Two or more colors can be overprinted to form other colors.
Raster Illustration
Details in hand drawn illustrations can be reproduced faithfully. Scanned images must be 300dpi.
How do risographs work? The Risograph printer, much like screen printing, is based on the stencil method of printing. While the machine looks very much like a photocopier it functions quite differently. Black & white artwork is sent to the Riso either from the connected desktop pc, or from the scanner on top of the machine. The image is ‘burnt’ onto a paper-like master which can then be used to duplicate it up to thousands of times. The master wraps automatically around an ink drum. The ink is pushed through the screen/master and then prints onto paper that makes contact with the drum. risoGRAPH fellowship The Riso Room Fellowship is a position held by 3 students per term. These students become the masters/mistresses of the machine, learning the ins and outs of it, getting the chance to experiment with it for their own work, as well as printing work for customers during open hours. For more information email blevit@pdx.edu.
disclaimer The Risograph machine was not designed to do highly precise work. It’s important that as you embark on printing your work you don’t expect the same kind of results you might get on a laser or inkjet. In fact, that’s what makes the Riso so much fun! It’s a lot of experimentation and new kinds of outcomes that can be very exciting to work with. So what can you expect? Registration may not line up perfectly when printing 2 or more colors. The ink rubs off easily, so do expect some smudges (sometimes removable with an eraser). Finally, because you’re printing with single colors, it’s hard to know exactly what the outcome will be, but you can make small adjustments as you print. The Riso Fellow can help you assess your artwork and then help you should you need to make adjustments. hours Hours vary from term-to-term. Please check the website or the notice outside the room. location Art Annex, 2000 SW 5th Ave, Portland Rad Lab, Rm 170
prices set-up
$2 per color impressions
Price varies by quantity and ink coverage (see below). low-medium ink:
high ink:
1–10: 11–30: 31–75: 75+:
1–10: 11–30: 31–75: 75+:
25¢ /ea 20¢ /ea 15¢ /ea 10¢ /ea
(all paper sizes)
35¢ /ea 30¢ /ea 25¢ /ea 20¢ /ea
(all paper sizes)
online psu.gd/riso instagram: tag posts #psugd Contact If you have questions beyond the scope of this brochure, please email Briar Levit, blevit@pdx.edu or visit psu.gd/riso.