Risograph Duplicator printing technology combines the vibrant spot colors of silkscreen, the high resolution and speedy mass production of offset lithography, and the user-friendly automation of an advanced color copier. These compact machines can function as a print shop in a box. Their ease of use, print quality and low overhead costs make them extremely popular among independent publishers, zine makers, graphic designers, photographers, and others who are interested in making quick and vibrant editions on paper. In this course, students will be given a thorough overview of Risograph printing and its range of printing techniques. Each student will generate a portfolio of various Risograph projects in the form of print editions, zines, cards, promotional fliers, and other printed matter.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

Drawing is a universal visual language. In this course students will create art using Risograph printing by way of hand-drawn images to create a new expanse of possibilities from their work. Both new and old work will be used to extensively explore the palettes and textures, and the capabilities of the Risograph process. Experimentation with a variety of tools and techniques to develop a language of mark-making will be encouraged. Students will use the Risograph printing process to make new work and reproduce previously created projects. A new practice will emerge from the discoveries that occur during this process. In-class experiments, discussions, assignments and critiques will culminate in a handmade zine project.

NOTE: This course is held on campus at SVA.

The past few years have seen an explosion of zines and small publishing among artists, designers and photographers. Even the most digitally based creative professionals are embracing the zine as a vital tool for experimentation, collaboration and communication. The Risograph Duplicator has emerged as a medium of choice for zine publishing. This technology fuses analog and digital printing techniques, combining the vibrant colors of silkscreen printing with the speed and automation of digital and offset printing. In this course students will be given a rigorous introduction to this medium and how to use it effectively as a tool for self-publishing. We will explore color, form, layout and pagination, and how to communicate ideas in book form. Class assignments will act as conceptual sparks to point students in new directions. In addition, collaborative projects among classmates will foster creative cross-pollination. Students will complete several zine editions, and discover that producing a simple pamphlet in an edition can be an empowering act—a way of multiplying one’s vision and spreading it out into the world.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

The goal of this course is to create Risograph-printed, narrative-based minicomics from start to finish. Students will experiment with writing and drawing short comics, and learn to use Risograph to print and assemble them. Throughout the course they will be challenged to thrive within the limitations of this printing process. Students will also learn to analyze comics not only through written and drawn techniques, but also through color, physicality and printing technique. This course is for students who are interested in creating comics, as well as producing thoughtful, tangible art objects. Students will complete multiple zines; the final project will be a print run of a multicolor, Risograph-printed minicomic.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

In this course students will bring their Risograph printing skills to the next level. We will cover how to build custom three- and four-color Riso printing profiles, how to use the physical limitations of the printer to our advantage and how to set up files to avoid printing errors. A deep dive on book layout and production guidelines for Risograph publishing will be included. The course follows a broad trajectory: There will be a few home assignments early on, to get students up to speed on the specifics of Riso printing; then students will develop their own projects and put them into production.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of a Risograph course or Open Lab Access.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

The basics of spot color Risograph printing and how to layer limited colors for vibrant results will be covered in this workshop. The first session will address the primary functions of the Risograph, and students will create analog prints and prepare digital files for print. In the second session, students will print their digital files. Students will take home 20 copies of their print (two- to three- colors, letter or tabloid size), and a variety of other Riso-printed ephemera. All supplies are provided. Open to all levels. 

Note: Please bring a finished design, ready to print, to the first session. This course is held on campus at SVA.
This course does not include access to the RisoLAB after completion. Students are required to enroll in a full semester course to gain access the Lab. 

In recent years, artists have increasingly embraced Risograph printing for its bold colors, distinctive textures, and accessibility in creating editions and publications. Originally designed as a high-volume office duplicator, the Riso prints one color at a time, much like silkscreen, blending the precision of digital workflows with the handmade aesthetic of analog printmaking. This workshop examines ideas related to authorship, appropriation, mechanical reproduction and remix culture. Participants will use the Risograph to critically engage with contemporary image-making practices, situating them within the broader contexts of media culture and consumerism. Drawing inspiration from digital sampling in music, participants will explore the archive as a dynamic source of creativity. Through hands-on experimentation with the Risograph, they will deconstruct and re-contextualize found materials, using collage techniques directly on the duplicator’s scanning glass, to create multilayered, one-of-a-kind prints that weave together personal and collective narratives.

Note: This workshop is open to all, no prior experience with Riso printing is required. All supplies are provided. Access to the RisoLAB is limited to the duration of the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring printed materials and physical images from personal or collective archives, such as family snapshots, drawings, documents, public domain imagery, magazine cutouts, record covers, advertisements, stickers, flyers, posters, books, wrapping paper, and other ephemera.

Note: Registration will open on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 at 12:00 pm. 

Registration is limited. Contact registrar@sva.edu if any registration issues are encountered.

The RisoLAB is dedicated to the philosophy and practice of independent self-publishing. It provides the opportunity for creative expression, offers an understanding of the print production process, and encourages collaboration in the production and publishing of student projects. RisoLAB access includes use of the Risograph duplicators for self-publishing and printing, as well as small-format bindery tools, paper trimming equipment, inks, tools and resources, along with tech support. Students who wish to work in the Lab must have successfully completed a full semester RisoLAB class or the online course with follow up in-person bootcamp training.

Note: Registration will open on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 at 12:00 pm. 

Registration is limited. Contact registrar@sva.edu if any registration issues are encountered.

The RisoLAB is dedicated to the philosophy and practice of independent self-publishing. It provides the opportunity for creative expression, offers an understanding of the print production process, and encourages collaboration in the production and publishing of student projects. RisoLAB access includes use of the Risograph duplicators for self-publishing and printing, as well as small-format bindery tools, paper trimming equipment, inks, tools and resources, along with tech support. Students who wish to work in the Lab must have successfully completed RisoLAB’s Risograph training or a Risograph course.

Note: Registration will open on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 at 12:00 opm. 

Registration is limited to 15 seats. Contact registrar@sva.edu if any registration issues are encountered.

The RisoLAB is dedicated to the philosophy and practice of independent self-publishing. It provides the opportunity for creative expression, offers an understanding of the print production process, and encourages collaboration in the production and publishing of student projects. RisoLAB access includes use of the Risograph duplicators for self-publishing and printing, as well as small-format bindery tools, paper trimming equipment, inks, tools and resources, along with tech support. Students who wish to work in the Lab must have successfully completed a Risograph course at the RisoLAB.