RISO
What the heck even is it?
Originally developed in Japan in the 1980s, Riso machines were designed as a fast and cost-effective way to produce high-volume prints, with some machines able to do multiple colors, while others are capable of only printing one at a time. Organizations that needed to crank out mass amounts of prints would easily do so, and artists saw the creative potential in these machines.
Risograph printing, or simply "riso" is a hybrid between screenprinting and traditional photocopying that produces vibrant colors, unique textrures and eco-friendly printing using soy based ink.
RISO MEMBERSHIP
There are three ways to engage with our machines:
1) Join our Riso Club! Once you take our Intro Workshop to Riso, join the club for $40 a month (or $400 a year) . Self-schedule and get access to our machines during a block of your choice. Enjoy reduced printing costs, take advantage of our knowledgable staff and surround yourself with artists!
2) Pay As You Print! If you don't want to commit to a monthly plan, pay $10 an hour for a self-scheduled print-a-thon. You still enjoy our reduced printing costs, too! Completion of the Intro to Riso Workshop is required.
3) Let us print for you! Don't want to do it yourself? Hate clubs? Totally understandable. Contact us in the "Let's Riso" section below and we'll handle it for you!
Don't want to join the club? Let us print for you!
LET'S RISO
Interested in having a print job done?
Please allow two week turnaround
We have two specific papers in house (text and cover weight) otherwise you can provide your own paper so long as it complies with the guidelines (paper must be uncoated and no bigger than A3 (11.7x16.5")
OUR RISO MACHINES
SF950 EII
The Precision Powerhouse
Four Colors
(more to come!)
The SF950 EII is the Rolls-Royce of Risos in this lineup. With its 600 dpi resolution, fast speeds (up to 190 ppm), and support for paper sizes up to 11.69" x 16.54" (A3), it’s perfect for producing crisp, detailed work without sacrificing time. Best for:
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High-end art prints
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Intricate zines with fine details
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Large-volume print jobs
Riso RZ310
The Reliable Workhorse
One Color
Think of the RZ310 as a dependable all-rounder. It’s not as fancy as the SF950, but it gets the job done with its 600 dpi resolution and support for paper sizes up to 11.69" x 16.54" (A3). It’s a solid choice for:
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Everyday zine-making
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Posters and flyers with bold, graphic elements
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Authors printing booklets or drafts
Riso FR395
Bold &
Experimental
One Color
The FR395 is the oldest of our machines, but don’t count it out. With 400 dpi resolution, decent speeds (up to 130 ppm), and support for paper sizes up to 10.12" x 14.33" (B4), it’s perfect for bold, experimental designs where texture and imperfection add character. Best for:
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Funky zines with layered colors
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Posters where precision isn’t the focus
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Smaller print runs with a DIY vibe