Risograph is a brand of digital duplicators manufactured by the Riso Kagaku Corporation.[1][2] Introduced in Japan in 1980, it is intended mainly for high-volume photocopying and printing. It is sometimes called a printer-duplicator as newer models can be used as a network printer as well as a stand-alone duplicator. When printing or copying many duplicates (generally more than 100) of the same content, it is typically far less expensive per page than a conventional photocopier, laser printer, or inkjet printer. Due to aesthetic and economic considerations, it has gained a cult following in the art community.[3]
Diagram of internal mechanism and paper flow in a RisographChanging out the ink drum of a Riso S-3700
The underlying technology is very similar to a mimeograph.[4] It brings together several processes which were previously carried out manually, for example using the Riso Print Gocco system or the Gestetner system.[5] It is commonly referred to as a mix between silkscreen and a photocopier.[5]
This simple technology is highly reliable compared to a standard photocopier and can achieve both very high speed (typically 150 pages per minute) and very low costs per copy when copying more than 100 copies.[6] A good lifespan for a Risograph might involve making 100,000 masters and 5,000,000 copies.[citation needed]
Ink
Because the process involves traditional ink like in offset printing, it does not require heat to fix the image on the paper with toner that a photocopier or laser printer does.[4]
Risograph printers use a soy ink made from vegetable soybean oil. Soy ink is environmentally friendly and able to be created sustainably.[7]Rice bran inks are also used.[8] One disadvantage of this soy based ink printing medium is that all paper stock has to be uncoated for the ink to dry and adhere properly.[9] Paper type affects the texture of the final image and how the ink color looks and feels when dry.[8]
A full master disposal tray in the Riso GR3750Risograph MH9450 with front panel open
Making a master screen
To make a master, the original image is scanned or sent from a computer, depending on the Risograph model. The master, or stencil, is created by making microscopic holes in the paper of the master with thermal heads.[11] This master is then wrapped around the ink drum and the ink is pushed through the voids in the master.[12] When creating a new master, the old master wrapped around the drum is removed by the machine and placed in a master disposal tray to be emptied later. The new master is then placed around the ink drum.
When creating the master, the original image can be processed in two different textures––screen covered, resembling halftone dots, or grain touch.[12]
Printing
After the master is made, the paper runs flat through the machine while the drum rotates at high speed to create each image on the paper.[9] The paper is automatically feed into and ejected from the machine.[4] Risographs have manually interchangeable color inks drums allowing for printing in different colors or using spot color in a single print job.
To create a multi-colored print, the paper must be run through the machine multiple times. Some series models have two ink drums, thereby allowing two colors to be printed in one pass.[4] Image color seperations can be made using different techniques including spot color, monochrome, duotone, tritone/quadtone, or faux-CMYK, usually created on Photoshop.[8]
For schools, clubs, churches, colleges, political campaigns, and other short-run print jobs, the Risograph bridges the gap between a standard photocopier (which is cheaper up to about 100 copies) and using an offset press (which is cheaper over about 10,000 copies). For a run of 100 to 500 prints, Risograph printing is an economical option.[10]
Use in Art
Risograph printing became popular among artists in the 2010s, particularly in the creation of zines[13][14] and comics,[15] due to the ability to create democratic multiples for a relatively affordable price.[10][16] It has gained a cult following in the art community.[3] It is known for its distinctive look and unpredictable nature. Due to it's analog processes, misregistration and its uneven textures are embraced by artists.[10][17][18]
Inside of Risograph machine
Many studios offer DIY printing or contract print jobs to offset the cost of the printer, including ink and master rolls, and invest into purchasing new colors and supplies.[3]
Select independent publishers and creative studios include Printed Matter, Inc., SVA Risolab, Secret Riso Club, Can Can Press, Risotto Studio, Colorama, Handsaw Press, Bad Student, Studio Fidéle, Hasuriso, Risolve Studio, Duplikat Press, Wedogood, and Jumbo Press. [4][9] Risograph studios are found globally, with the majority in Europe and North America.[4][19] Artist book fairs are held internationally, bringing together independent publishers and creative studios, many of whom produce work with the Risograph.[20]
Spectrolite is a color separation tool developed by ANEMONE and used by artists.[21][22]
Manufacture
The key master-making thermal head component is manufactured by Toshiba. Machines similar to Risographs are manufactured by Ricoh, Gestetner, Rex Rotary, Nashuatec and Duplo. Gestetner, Rex Rotary and Nashuatec are now owned by Ricoh.[citation needed]
123Ihwa, Lu; Yuxian, Liu; Wang, Vivian (2025). No magic in Riso: a bilingual risograph tool book (in English and Chinese). O.OO Design & Risograph ROOM (limited edition of 2000 copies November 2025ed.). Taipei: O.OO Design & Risograph Room. ISBN978-986-97588-0-2.
1234567Uno imprime para encontrar camaradas[One Prints to Find Comrades] (in Spanish and English). Mexico City, Mexico: Can Can Press. 2024.
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