Intro to RISO printing

Join us for a creative taster workshop learning how to develop artwork specifically for use with the Riso printer, a photocopier and screenprint hybrid. 

Ideal for posters, graphic prints, zines, comics, and other graphic arts, this session will focus on generating artwork and thinking creatively with the aim of creating a 2-3 colour print. 

WYPW’s Riso machine has 8 colour drums and the workshop will teach you how to maximise colour separation and overprint techniques.  

Over the duration of the workshop you will explore the possibilities of working with analogue (collaged and drawn) or digital images and gain confidence working with the Riso machine. You’ll finish the session with a range of printed images all developed and made on the day. 

Experience level:

This session provides a solid introduction to creating artwork utilising the Riso printer. You don’t need to have any prior experience to sign up, we’ll go through everything from scratch. It’s also useful if you’ve worked with Riso before but are a bit rusty of what to do, the 3 hour session will serve as a good refresher of the process. 

What to prepare:

All materials will be provided during your session however we will be developing some images using collage so feel free to bring anything specific that you may wish to chop up and use. 

We will also be exploring using digital imagery during the session. In order to do this please provide 1x digital image in advance of the session by emailing info@wypw.org  For the most useful results and best learning experience this should ideally be; 

• A4 (21×29.7cm) in size  
• Greyscale/black and white* 
• High quality/resolution (300 dpi) 

However if you are unable to change it to black and white – don’t worry, just send full colour. 

Pace and Accessibility:

This workshop is designed to be relaxed, supportive and accessible, with a maximum of eight participants to ensure everyone receives individual guidance. You’ll be taken through each stage of the process step by step, with opportunities to work either seated or standing as you prefer. The Riso is located in our Gallery space which has level access and an accessible toilet. If you have any access or support needs, please get in touch before the workshop so we can do our best to accommodate them. 

Your tutor: Mike Ainsworth

Mike Ainsworth is a printer, graphic designer, illustrator and print educator based in Leeds working under the name North or Nowt. Mike specialises in designing and creating screen printed gig posters and merchandise and has previously worked with artists like Protomartyr, Gorilla Biscuits, Sunn O))), Shonen Knife, Admiral Fallow and Laura Jane Grace amongst many others. Mike has worked as a graphic designer for clients such as Vantage Books and M.W.Craven, as well as having 10 years’ experience in working as a print educator in higher education and as an industrial printer. Although North or Nowt predominantly specialize in design and print for screen print, RISO and letterpress, Mike is knowledgeable across a broad range of other print processes such as lino print, drypoint, etching and monoprint. Mike is a member of Letterpress workers (LPW) and contributor and attendee at the Letterpress Workers Summit in Milan, Italy. Mike also works for People Powered Press (Saltaire) and Thin Ice Press (York) as a printmaker and technician.

www.northornowt.com

What can I do after I’ve learnt the basic process?

After attending this course you’ll be able to sign up as a RISO member; enjoying all the great benefits of being a WYPW member alongside the ability to get printing! You can find out more about becoming a RISO Member and signing up via our members website or by asking one of our team. You’ll need to attend a technical induction (free of charge following a course, usual cost £25) which will provide you with the knowledge to confidently work independently, set up and alter the settings on the machine.

Cancellation Policy:

• If you have to cancel:

If you are unable to attend your booked course, we may accept the fee paid as payment towards a place on the same or another course that takes place within the same financial year (running 1 April-31 March) following the originally booked event. Such a transfer will be on condition that we are informed in writing of your intentions four weeks prior to the originally booked event. Bookings can only be transferred once. If you are unable to attend, and not in a position either to transfer to another event, then the following charges will apply: Cancellation charges

• 16-12 weeks before the course: 50 % of the fee will be retained by WYPW
• Less than 12 weeks before the course: 100% of the fee will be retained by WYPW
• Please note that full payment is required for non-attendance on a booking that has been transferred.

If you have any further questions about our cancellation policy, please contact us on info@wypw.org

• If we have to cancel:

West Yorkshire Print Workshop reserves the right to cancel or re-arrange courses if there are insufficient participants enrolled to run a viable course or for other unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to give those who have already enrolled at least one weeks’ notice of cancellation. In such circumstances you will be offered a free transfer to another course date or a full refund of fees paid. By enrolling in our courses, participants agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above. 

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