Register for Spring Art Classes

Ages 18+

What is a Risograph?

A Risograph is a digital stencil duplicator, a hybrid of screen printing and offset lithography that uses brightly colored soy based inks. The risograph has become increasingly popular among artists over the past 20 years as a fast and accessible way to produce unique printed matter. Great for bold designs, illustrations, experimental photographs, posters, zines, independent publications and drawings- each color layer is made into a laser etched stencil and printed one at a time. In this course, students will be given a thorough overview of Risograph printing and its range of both digital and physical printing techniques. Students will use various techniques of stencil making, including but not limited to: found collage, hand drawn, sumi ink painted, digitally rendered (photoshop and illustrator) and hand cut from paper. In Risograph you can expect each edition to have small natural inconsistencies, imperfections, mis-registrations and roller marks – normally considered printing errors in other mediums, these create the aesthetic of risograph that artists and designers celebrate today.

Each class will start with a riso printing process or adobe demonstration. Students will create various independent Risograph projects in the form of printed matter including but not limited to: fine art prints, illustrations, posters, cards, promotional fliers, collages, fine art books and zines. You will not be required to bring supplies to the first class meeting. Recommended supply lists will be reviewed and distributed in the first class meeting, although a lot of supplies will also be provided.

Masks are required inside the Armory for all students and visitors. All students age 5 and up must show proof of full vaccination on the first day of class. Please read our onsite class safety protocols here.

Thursdays
April 13 - June 15 (10 Class Meetings)
6:30 - 9:00 PM