Stray Pages is available to hire for the printing of Risograph work including art editions, posters, cards, zines & books. Further details on the print process and available inks can be found below. For quotes and other queries please email hello@straypages.com

The Following inks are currently available. The corresponding Hex and RGB codes can be used when proofing colours in your software of choice. 

• Black - Hex 000000 || RGB 0, 0, 0
• Moss - Hex: 68724D II RGB 104,114,77
• Blue - Hex: 0078bf || RGB 0, 120, 191
• Violet  - Hex: 9D7AD2 || RGB 157, 122, 210
  
• Burgundy - Hex 914e72 || RGB 145, 78, 114
• Bright Red - Hex f15060 || RGB 241, 80, 96
• Orange - Hex: ff6c2f || RGB 255, 108, 47
  
• Yellow - Hex: ffe800 || RGB 255, 232, 0

How it works

Risography sits somewhere between screen printing, photocopying and offset printing. A B&W image is sent from a computer or scanner bed to the printer. This image is then burnt into a disposable master sheet creating a stencil which is wrapped around the print drum. An A3 sheet of paper then passes through the printer, pressing into the drum leaving an ink impression on the sheet before it is fed out the other side. Each Colour requires its own drum, and so for multi-colour printing, this process is repeated. A new drum is inserted, a new master stencil is made and the previously printed sheets are fed back through the printer adding a new impression. 

File Preparation

The Riso prints on A3 with a maximum printable area of 410 x 287 mm. When required, bleed and trim marks must also be included within the printable area.

Files should be set up B&W, to the required trim size and at a minimum of 300 dpi. PDF format is required. For multi-colour prints, each ink layer should be supplied as its own clearly labelled B&W PDF, or a multi-page B&W PDF with a clearly labelled page for each colour. For reference please supply a full colour JPG or PDF of the final artwork.

For books and zines please supply files as a multi-page PDF exported as single pages (not spreads) in order of reading.  All small text 14pt and under should be set to 100% coverage for the best results. 

The wonderful Spectrolite for Mac is a free app which can be used to easily create print-ready separations from full-colour images. It can be found here. Credit and thanks to Anemone studio for developing the app and making it free to use.

Colour separation, pre-press and file preparation services to get your images print-ready can also be offered for an additional setup cost. 

Please review the following list before submitting print files.

B&W PDF for each ink layer, set to trim size and within the maximum print area. 
3-5mm bleed and trim marks if required (also within the maximum print area)
Resolution 300-600 dpi
Text 14pt and under set to 100% coverage 
Full-colour JPG or PDF preview of the final artwork
   

Img: Claire Hicks, 35 mm film, 2021. Printed four colour - yellow, bright red, blue, black.

Paper

Because Riso inks dry by absorption only uncoated stocks can be used.  The below house stocks are available for a variety of uses.

Envirocare Recycled  - natural warm recycled paper.
Bulky News  - a nice budget off-white toothy paper, not recommended for high ink load or more than 2 colours. 

Recommended Uses

Book / Zine pages
Envirocare Recycled  - 100gsm, 115 gsm 
Bulky News - 80gsm

Cards / Book & Zine Covers
Envirocare Recycled - 150gsm
Envirocare Recycled - 250gsm

Posters / Art Prints
Envirocare Recycled  - 100gsm, 115 gsm , 150gsm
Bulky News - 80gsm

Other premium stocks such as  Knight Vellum, Mohawk Via Vellum, and color-plan card can be ordered at an additional cost.

Imperfections

Imperfections such as variation in ink density and misregistration should be expected across a print run. In many instances, this is part of the charm and appeal of Risograph printing.  However, there are some less appealing aspects of Risograph production that can be minimized through smart design. If a print has lots of ink coverage it can be expected that roller marks along with some smudging and stamping from one sheet to another can occur. If minimal these marks can usually be removed with the use of an eraser. It can be helpful to avoid large areas of ink when designing multi-colour prints, in particular for the top/middle of the sheet where the feed rollers make the most contact. When printing double-sided it is also advisable to not have large amounts of coverage on both sides of the print sheet. If this is unavoidable due to the nature of the job, extra care will be taken to avoid marks and smudging as much as possible.