Risograph Workshop

The Risograph printer is most commonly used for duplicating as of its high volume. It was first used for high volume photocopying due its excellent costs. It works by burning a template onto a 'master', this master is then wrapped around a drum where ink is pushed through the master to be printed on the page. A master is capable of up to 500 prints, which allows for cheap printing compared to laser and inkjet printers. Risographs are best for using simple designs and only one or two colours; this is due to being able to use only one colour per master, therefore to add another colour you must add another master which will then print on top of the original page.

We were told that the university charges £1 per master, this was therefore a tempting method of printing; however our zine has many colours throughout its pages therefore we didn't think this would be an appropriate method of printing for ourselves.

This a copy of a print we were given as an example from the Risograph workshop. I like the quality of being able to move the different masters into different positions to create a overlapping and slightly blurred effect. I do really like the effect that the Risograph printer gives, therefore I think it is a shame that it wouldn't work for our zine.

I am glad that we had the opportunity to see how the Risograph printer works even though we won't be using it for our zine. As an art history student it is rare that we have the need or opportunity to use machines, it is therefore interesting and useful to be able to attend this workshop, so we then have the opportunity to use the Risograph in the future.