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 Risograph Printing
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What is Risograph printing?


A risograph is like a fancier office copier, but rather than being toner-based, risographs use a semi-opaque rice bran ink, allowing you to layer colors on top of one another like you would with screenprinting. The RISO color palette also offers specialty colors like fluorescent pink that achieve a level of saturation not available on most office copiers.

Risograph printing has long been used for high-volume jobs in places like schools and churches. It’s also an affordable option with a lower environmental impact compared to traditional laser or inkjet printing.


Our Open Print Philosophy -

As we move toward increasingly uncertain futures and an ever more surveillance-heavy social media landscape, print media feels particularly vital. RISO printing offers artists and writers a tangible and accessible way to share work, circulate ideas, and build community outside of algorithmic platforms. We see the RISO as a tool not only for artistic production, but also for community building and mutual aid. 

During Open Print, we will introduce you to the basic functions of the RISO before you begin printing your project, with the goal of providing the knowledge and confidence to eventually use the machine independently. Either Ava or Jaer will be present throughout the process to help troubleshoot any printing issues that arise.


Our lovely Riso SF 5130 EII.

Open Print Rates - 

  • Our RISO can print up to 8.5”x14” and as small as 3.5”x5.5”.
  • We use a BYOP (bring your own paper) model. For context, the RISO can only print on uncoated paper. We have an in-house stock of 20lb. copy paper available for 10¢/ea. Unsure if your paper works? Email us: creaholland@gmail.com
  • When printing, we charge a $2.00 base rate for using the machine and a S/M/L (2¢/5¢/7¢) system depending on the ink coverage/density of each impression made. We see this system as a more equitable printing model for both you as a printer and us as a studio.
  • Feel free to bring your print files on a thumb drive, or, if you have a Mac, you can AirDrop them to our laptop. The RISO also has a scan bed if you’d prefer to do things the good old-fashioned way.
  • We are currently running blue, black, and fluorescent pink ink drums on the RISO.
    • Available tools: 2x saddle stitch staplers, 2x long arm staplers,
      x-acto knives, scissors, collage materials, 1x ledger lightbox, 3x typewriters (one types in cursive!)
  • Any other questions? Please reach out, we want to help!
A color chart of our current colors, black, blue, & fluorescent pink.




This is her printing. Look at her go!
CREA is supported in part by the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures.
 
Last Updated 08/2026