RisoWorks

During the 4.2 module last year, the intro workshop to riso printing really hooked me into the process, yet looking back on this time last year when i first got chance to use the printer, my designs could be much improved, and i had spoiled some really nice prints by printing one solid colour over them, which was quite disheartening. I really wanted to make more designs with this technology, but decided to have more planning and consideration next time, along with taking my new understanding of how the tech works, as to not ruin a lot of designs accidentally.

So, with the xmas print fair at Hyde park book club around the corner, and me wanting to take part this year, i booked out the printer with a collection of more localised designs, text, photos and patterns - basically a collection of ephemera for me to be able to use within the final design, each design intentionally placed as to not overlap too heavily and ruin other elements of the design.

I had created other images in order to scan in and use in a second design, but i had underestimated once again some elements of the print - the time used by making decisions. Because i couldn't remember the colours that were available last year, i hadn't decided already what layers would be what colour, some i had to spend time preparing the colours slowly, so in future, now with the information about what colours are available, ill be able to reduce the time to print a design in future. Another thing was forgetting which way round a design will print out on, so each time in inserted a drum, i had to reprint a page to remind me where it was going to go, which also cost me more money. I eventually wrote down the correct order and sequence ready for the final print so that i could do it more effectively. I also messed up the flowers layer like 3 times, which lead to a good 20 minutes lost just to sorting it out. All of these are mistakes i now wont make in the future due to this practice. Here is a video of me loading up a drum into the machine!

And here is the video of all the layers being printed on the paper for my final prints. Each print is 170gsm off white card stock, measuring at ..mm x ..mm. It is a limited series of only 24 copies available, and I'll probably never make them again, so if i manage to sell all 24, they will be exclusive to those purchasers.

And here is the final design of the print, which I'm rather happy with. I really enjoyed the experience, and all the elements but the yellow train layer came together really nicely, though i wish i slightly lowered the text, so that there was more for a border where i will cut out the print from the blank paper. Wish me luck for the print fair, Thursday the 11th of December!