Risograph studio · art prints · zines
Spot colours, one layer at a time
Art prints, zines and short print runs from a small risograph studio. Pick your inks, send one file per colour, and we print, trim and post it.
Fluorescent pink
Medium blue
Yellow
Teal
Print runs from 25 copies · Proof before every run · Example prices
Shown: two-colour print run (sample)
Spot colour library
Pick your inks from the drum shelf
A risograph prints one ink at a time, each from its own drum. Inks are translucent, so two colours that overlap make a third. Here is how each one behaves on natural paper.
Colour behaviour is a sample. Paper, ink coverage and your screen all change how a colour looks; the printed swatch card shows them on real stock.
Art prints
Printed here, a few dozen at a time
Each print is a short run in two or three spot colours, so no two sheets line up exactly the same.
Sample prints and example prices. Small shifts between colours are part of the process, not a fault.
Zine library
Small books, printed and stapled here
Short zines in one or two colours, folded and stapled by hand. Pick one, or take the bundle.
Sample titles for the demo store. Want your own zine printed? See the print price calculator.
Print service calculator
What a short run costs
Find your size and number of copies. Prices are for two colours on natural 100 gsm paper; each extra colour is another pass through the machine.
| Size, 2 colours | 25 copies | 50 copies | 100 copies | 250 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 postcard | $28 | $36 | $48 | $80 |
| A5 flyer | $34 | $44 | $60 | $105 |
| A4 print | $42 | $56 | $78 | $140 |
| A3 poster | $58 | $78 | $110 | $210 |
How we price (sample): a new master is made for every colour, then each copy is cheap. That is why 100 copies cost little more than 50.
Example quote
A4 print run
Size
A5
A4
A3
Colours
1
2
3
Copies
25
50
100
250
$78 · Example price
- A digital proof of every layer
- Trimmed to size and packed flat
- Ready in about 5 working days (sample)
Paper stock guide
Uncoated paper, chosen for the ink
Riso ink dries by soaking into the paper, so we print on uncoated stock. Heavier paper holds more layers without curling; coloured paper changes every ink on top of it.
Natural
100 gsm
Bright white
120 gsm
Recycled grey
90 gsm
Pale pink
120 gsm
Pale blue
120 gsm
Natural card
250 gsm
| Paper | Weight (sample) | Feel | Best for | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural | 100 gsm | Soft, slight tooth | Art prints, zine pages | Up to 4 |
| Bright white | 120 gsm | Smooth, crisp | Posters, bright colours | Up to 4 |
| Recycled grey | 90 gsm | Flecked, matt | Zine inners, flyers | Up to 2 |
| Pale pink / pale blue | 120 gsm | Smooth, tinted | Covers, invitations | Up to 2 |
| Natural card | 250 gsm | Stiff, slight tooth | Postcards, zine covers | Up to 3 |
| Coated or glossy | Any | Shiny | Not suitable: ink stays wet | None |
File prep guide
One layer for every colour
The machine cannot read colour. It needs a separate greyscale file for each ink, and it lays them down one after another.
01
One file per colour
Save each ink as its own layer or PDF page: black means full ink, white means no ink.
02
Greyscale, not colour
Grey areas print as a fine dot pattern (halftone), so 50% grey gives a lighter tint of the ink.
03
Add 3 mm bleed
Artwork that runs off the edge needs 3 mm extra on every side; keep text 5 mm inside the trim.
04
Allow for shift
Each colour is a separate pass, so layers can move by a millimetre or two. Avoid hairline overlaps.
05
Send one PDF
One page per colour, named after the ink, at 600 dpi for line art (sample spec).
06
Approve the proof
We email a proof of every layer. Nothing is printed until you say yes.
File specs are samples. Tell us the size and colours before you start and we will check your file for free (sample offer).
Studio visit & workshops (sample)
Come and print on the drum
Small hands-on sessions in the studio: separate a design, make the masters, print it in two colours and take it home.
Workshops (sample dates)
Intro to risograph
Saturdays, 10:00–13:00
$65
Make-a-zine evening
Thursdays, 18:00–21:00
$45
Open studio hour
First Friday of the month
Free
Up to 8 people
Materials included
Ages 16+
Studio counter
Wednesday–Friday
11:00–18:00
Saturday
10:00–16:00
Sunday–Tuesday
Closed
Sample sessions, times and example prices.
FAQ
Questions before you print
Not sure your file is ready? Email [email protected] or call (555) 017-4410.
What is a risograph?
A stencil printer that prints one spot colour at a time from a drum. It is fast for short runs and gives a soft, grainy finish.
How many copies is worth it?
From about 25 copies. Each colour needs a new master, then every copy is cheap, so the price per copy drops quickly.
Can you match an exact colour?
No. We print with the inks on our drum shelf; choose from the spot colour library or ask for the printed swatch card.
Why are my colours slightly out of line?
Each colour is a separate pass through the machine, so layers can shift a little. Design with a bit of overlap and it becomes part of the look.
Can I touch the prints straight away?
Riso ink takes a while to settle on the paper. We let every run dry before packing it.