What is Riso Printing?

Maybe you've come across the term before: riso print. But what is it exactly, and why is it such a fun technique to try? In this blog I'll explain everything about this special printing technique, from how it works to why it's so addictively fun to do yourself. And if you feel like trying it out: I give creative riso print workshops in Utrecht where you can get started right away!

What is riso print?

Riso print is a unique, Japanese printing technique that lets you make colorful, graphic and playful prints. The process uses a special printer that looks a bit like a large office printer, but works with stencils. It's similar to screen printing: you print your design in separate color layers, one color at a time.

Riso printing was developed by the Japanese Riso Kagaku Corporation as a cost-effective alternative to offset printing and screen printing. It was ideal for small runs of posters, booklets and flyers. It quickly became popular among artists who wanted to make their own publications. After fading into the background for a while, riso print has made a full comeback in recent years. And for good reason: the neon colors, the grainy texture and the unique imperfections simply can't be replicated with a regular printer.

How does riso print work?

The process starts with a stencil, also called the 'master'. This is a thin sheet of rice paper into which your design is burned. For each color in your design you make a separate master, and the paper goes through the printer again for each color.

In my workshops we work a lot with a scanner: you make something by hand, like a drawing or a collage, and the printer translates that directly into a stencil. You can also supply digital files during the digital courses.

The printer has a 'drum' that acts like a conductor for the ink: it makes sure the ink is distributed evenly across the master. Think of it like a squeegee in screen printing, but without the mess. Riso printing is basically screen printing for people who don't like cleaning up, like me. :)

Because the paper goes through the printer again for each color layer, it can shift slightly. That creates subtle variations between prints. That's exactly what makes each riso print unique.

The ink: soy-based and semi-transparent

In riso printing we use special soy or rice based ink. It differs from regular printer ink in two important ways: it's semi-transparent and it dries slowly.

The semi-transparency is what makes riso print so magical. Because the colors print on top of each other, new shades are created: yellow and blue become green, yellow and fluor pink become orange. The colors are vivid and bright, not achievable with a regular inkjet printer.

The slow drying time does mean your prints need a little time. Sometimes you'll see small fingerprints or gear marks on your print. I personally see that as part of the charm, it proves your print was truly made by hand.

What kind of paper do you use for riso printing?

Paper makes a big difference in riso. The machine works best with uncoated paper. Coated paper doesn't absorb the ink well, causing it to smear or not stick properly. In the studio I work with different types of paper, from light to heavier stock, but in the workshops we mainly use Biotop paper. The colors come out the most vibrant on that.

Mixing colors with Riso

In my studio I have nine riso ink colors: medium blue, aqua, green, fluor pink, fluor orange, teal, yellow, black and red. Together they offer endless combination possibilities.

A fun fact: aqua, yellow, fluor pink and black together form a kind of riso version of CMYK, the classic print model. Those four colors blend the best with each other and give the most predictable results. But that doesn't mean other combinations are less beautiful!! Sometimes the most unexpected combinations are the most interesting.

One technical thing to keep in mind: not all colors are equally transparent. Light, transparent colors I always print first, so the layers fall nicely on top of each other. Dark colors are less transparent and therefore don't blend as well. Those I always print last. In the workshops I explain this and help you think about the order of your colors, because that makes a big difference to your final result.

Riso print Utrecht

The technique originally comes from Japan, but you can find riso printers everywhere nowadays: in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Zwolle, Houten and many more places. My studio is located in the heart of Utrecht, at Grave van Solmsstraat 2. A cheerful, colorful place where you're welcome to experiment and get creative. I offer various riso print workshops, from a beginners workshop to a poster workshop, a cards workshop and more. The workshops are accessible to everyone, whether you consider yourself creative or think you're not.