Small press realizes big dreams

Erica Wilk of Moniker Press gets creative with local risograph printing

By JACOB HOHEISEL

Emily Carr grad Erica Wilk is using what was once a popular household, church, and office staple in Japan to print unique works of art.

She has a Risograph printer, 1980s Japanese technology, used in the production of original works and publications with local artists and volunteers through her Moniker Press, based in a studio space in Vancouver.

Risographs are printers that use a stencil made from a digital scan, which is then wrapped around an ink drum. As the paper runs through the machine, the soy-based ink is imprinted directly onto the paper. It’s this ink on paper aesthetic that risoprinting is known for.

About six years ago, Wilk was working on book project called Duality with other artists and writers when she had the idea that it would be cheaper to print and do everything herself in her own studio.

“It ended up not being cheaper … I had to make 400 books by hand, but that’s how it started.” Wilk said she found a RZ220 riso- graph printer in Washington, but upgraded to a larger version with less restrictions.

The new MZ790 printer wasn’t tied down while being shipped from Edmonton, so Wilk repaired it and learned how to work with the damage restrictions over four years.

Moniker Press offers local artists the accessibility to publish and print their materials with volunteer help. Wilk consults on projects, as well.

“Erica is the monopoly for good reason. She knows more about risograph printing than most people,” close collaborator and fellow publisher Christian Hernandez said.

Hernandez said independent publishing and risograph printing are growing niches.

Anna Firth, who runs Swampcone Magazine, said “I feel like Moniker Press is a staple in the community. All of us have probably printed something there or participated in her projects.”

Firth co-organized a publishing fair called Book Drop last Saturday for printed matter and small press. The fair featured local talent, including Moniker Press.

Wilk recommends anyone interested in starting a business in a creative or artistic field or pursuing art as a career to get out to events, talk to people, network or volunteer to showcase their work.

“It’s OK to start small,” she said.