Risography is similar to the screen printing technique, as the print is built layer by layer, and can only print one color at a time. This technique was initially meant as an easy and cheap way to print flyers for schools, churches and other institutions. It stems from Japan, and was invented by Noboru Hayama in 1986, and later rediscovered by artists and creatives for fine art printing. 

Risograph printing

To create a risograph, a special digital printing machine is used to create colours that other printers can't produce. The machine makes a 'master' stencil of the design, and wraps it around an ink drum. The ink is then pushed through the the stencil on to the paper, as the ink drum rotates. To incorporate multiple colours in one print, the ink drum must be changed, and a new 'master' must be created for each color, before pushing the paper through once again. Most riso printers use ink based on sustainable raw ingredients such as rice and soy.

Artists working with risography

Limited Works present risographs by artists such as Jody Barton, Hvass&Hannibal, Edward Morgan & Linn Henrichson. 

Click here to see other printing techniques and all other types of artworks.