Print with Us
Check out the page below for information about our Risographic services and tips for preparing your files. When you’re ready click the button to fill out an inquiry form and we’ll get back to you in 1–2 business days.
Equipment
Our Machine
We have a Risograph SF5450, which prints one color at a time on uncoated paper up to 11” x 17”.
Our Ink Colors
We have nine ink colors:
Bright Red
Orange
Yellow
Light Lime
Grass
Blue
Fluorescent Pink
Violet
Black
Visit this page for digital previews of what they look like.
Digital Files
File Requirements
Please carefully review the following section when preparing your files.
Accepted file types
PDF (preferred)
Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator files also accepted
Minimum file requirements
Files should be delivered print-ready. This means
Artwork should be split up by color with each color as its own file
Each file should be in grayscale
Name your file with the color that it is intended to be printed in
Artwork needs to be 300 PPI – 600 PPI in resolution
When sending Photoshop, InDesign or Illustrator files, they should be packaged (i.e. file>package) with fonts and links. Best practice is to also outline all fonts and vector linework.
Tips
For even printing, any large areas of solid fill should be 90% opacity maximum
The minimum printable text size is 7pt
The minimum printable line thickness is 0.5pt
If possible, convert type and linework to outlined vectors
Print Size
Maximum paper size is 11” x 17”
Final artwork should include a minimum 0.25” margin on all sides for any paper size
Please ask about trimming full bleed artwork
Need Help?
File prep is available for a fee of $55/hour. This includes
CMYK Prep
Basic color separations
In-person or online
We can give you an estimate on how long it will take to prep the file
Ink Colors
Click here to download a PDF of the chart above.
We have nine ink colors:
Bright Red
Orange
Yellow
Light Lime
Grass
Blue
Fluorescent Pink
Violet
Black
You can print one to seven colors per side.
Check out this page for advanced printing options.
Paper
We keep a small selection of paper in stock
8.5” x 11” (Letter size)
Copy paper (24lb text / 89 gsm)
Colors: White, Ivory, Pink, Blue, Green, Fluorescent Orange, Fluorescent Yellow
Cardstock (110lb index / 199 gsm)
Colors: White
11” x 17” (Tabloid/Ledger size)
Copy paper (24lb text / 89 gsm)
Colors: White, Pink,Yellow
Cardstock (110lb index / 199 gsm)
Colors: White
Images below are of actual stock. Note that color may appear different on your screen from the actual paper.
Please check this page or ask to confirm if a certain paper is in stock.
Contact us about custom sizes or full bleed trimming
Want to use your own paper?
Our machine can print on uncoated paper in weights from 12lb bond – 116lb index (46 gsm – 216 gsm)
We do not recommend using textured paper like cold-press watercolor paper. We cannot print on coated stocks like glossy or photo paper.
Given the unpredictable nature of Riso process, please provide more paper than you need printed
White
Blue
Green
Ivory
Pink
Bright Yellow
Bright Orange
Finishing
Finishing
Trimming, folding, staple binding and coil binding is available for an additional fee. Please contact us for a quote.
We offer three different standard folding options: Bi-fold, Tri-Fold, and Z-fold. See diagrams below.
For folding options not illustrated here, please get in touch.
Things to consider
Variation
Riso isn’t perfect! Part of the charm of Risograph printing is the variation inherent to the process. Some of this variation includes slight imperfections. These are some of the things that you might expect to see on prints in your order.
Uneven printing - Large areas of color will often not print evenly.
Tire marks - When printing multiple colors the paper feed wheels can pick up colors already printed on the page and leave marks on the following pages.
Smudging - Riso ink is an oil-based ink and smudges easily if rubbed.
Misregistration - Each time a sheet of paper is fed through the machine, they may feed through in slightly different ways, leading to areas of color not lining up properly.
Proofreading
We do not proofread or correct artwork. Please check artwork for unintentional typos and errors grammatical or otherwise.
Color Separations
Our machine prints one color at a time. This means that every color in your artwork needs a separate file to send to the machcine. There are many ways to do this. Spectrolite is a free and simple-to-use option. This software is developed specifically for preparing files for Risograph printing. You can input a full-color image and it will separate it to print with up to four colors.
You can set up your palette with which four colors to use. Our 4-color Process (CMYK) equivalents are Blue, Fluorescent Pink, Yellow and Black. However, you can use any combination of four colors to produce interesting variations.
FAQs
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While we don’t currently offer studio rentals, we do provide Risograph workshops and printing services. If you're interested in Risograph printing, please fill out our inquiry form—we’d love to help make your project happen.
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Our standard pricing starts at $1 per color (or layer) with a minimum order of 25 prints.
For example: 25 one-color prints would cost $25 plus tax.
We also offer volume discounts for larger orders.
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Our turnaround time ranges from 3 to 10 business days, depending on the number of colors, pages, and any additional finishing services like trimming or folding. Rush fees may apply for expedited orders.
Please note that print jobs begin once payment has been received.
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Tell us about your project by completing our inquiry form.
We'll provide a cost estimate and finalize the invoice after receiving your files and detailed specifications.
Production will begin once the invoice is paid.
Once printed, you can pick up your project at our Inner Richmond studio or get it delivered for an additional fee.
Studio Time
We do not offer public use of our Risograph machine or studio rental. If you’d like to make prints please get in touch for a full-service quote.