The Risograph printing is one of the main trend of 2022 and is halfway between screen printing and offset printing.
But what exactly is it and what are its peculiarities?
Let’s find out now!
How is it created?
As soon as a file is sent to print, the printing machine creates a new matrix which is wrapped around a cylinder through which liquid ink passes.
A dedicated matrix and the process must be repeated by reinserting the sheet into the printer from time to time; this allows to achieve unique results thanks to the overlapping of colors.
The ink passes through the perforated matrix and is imprinted on the sheet.
As in screen printing, one color is printed at a time. An image in bi – or polychrome requires several passes of the same sheets after replacing the cylinder.
Unlike screen printing, however, in Risograph printing you can play with halftones: using semitransparent inks overlapping them you can obtain infinite plays of color.
Are there any limits?
Using large blocks of saturated colors can result in degumming, which can be erased later. Printing one color at a time also runs the risk of multicolored prints being out of register.
The appeal of Risograph printing lies in its analogue nature: not good for anyone looking for the highest resolution.
It cannot produce perfect results like inkjet or laser printing. The product will always be different from how it appears on screen and each print will be slightly different from all the others.
Conclusions
This technique has become a soon a tool for artists and designers to create beautiful abstract artworks, posters and advertisements from which it is impossible to distract look, precisely for these unique vivid colors that other printers cannot produce and the slight imperfections, such as ink smears, inconsistent colors, unpredictable alignment problems and rough textures.
What do you think of this technique? Have you tried it yet?
Let me know below in the comments;)
See you next time!