Welcome to The Scanner Lab:
3-Colour Analogue Riso Exploration
Tuesday 18th & 25th
Summer at Risopop is all about taking a moment to slow down, explore, and play. For this special summer "deep dive," we are focusing on texture experimentation, complex layering, and refined visual storytelling.
The magic of the Risograph isn't digital perfection, it’s the "happy accidents," the grainy textures, and the vibrant overlap of ink on paper. Over two cozy, creative evenings, we will treat the Riso printer’s onboard scanner as an active artistic tool. Working with a focused 3-colour palette, you will learn how to build rich, layered artwork using nothing but physical materials, raw textures, and the scanner settings of the riso printer.
Whether you’re looking to disconnect from software for a couple of nights or want to push your creative practice in a totally new direction, this workshop is a space to experiment without any pressure.
What to Expect:
Part 1: Texture Exploration & Layer Planning (August 18th)
We begin by getting cozy around the studio table to demystify how the Riso "sees" and translates the physical world.
Texture Exploration: We’ll start with exercises to visualise your ideas while experimenting with textures. You will sketch and incorporate diverse materials (charcoal, ink washes, graphite, and textured paper) into raw, physical marks.
The Scanner: Once your initial sketches and textures are prepared, we will scan and test them directly on the Risograph, to see exactly how your marks translate into the printing process.
Layer Planning: Next, we’ll dive into layer planning. You will learn the art of separating your designs for multi-colour printing, focusing on understanding colour mixing, overlaps, and registration.
Your Summer Homework: You will leave the first evening with a custom 3-colour blueprint. Before our second session, you'll refine and finalise your three separate physical layers at home, guided by how the scanner reacted to your textures in class.
Part 2: Printing your 3 colour design! (August 25th)
The second evening is all about the satisfying craft of production and layering.
Final Project Development: We’ll start with dedicated time to refine your final designs. You’ll be guided through the process of preparing your physical layers, ensuring they are ready for the scanner.
The Print Run (A3 Format): Take the driver’s seat at the machine! You’ll print your final project on A3 format using up to three vibrant riso colours.
The Collaborative Folder: We’ll wrap up the deep dive by laying out our prints, discussing results and sharing a drink. Everyone will leave with their own final print edition and a beautiful collaborative folder showcasing a print from everyone in the class.
What are the costs?
2 Evening Course: €110
Early Bird Price (until the 8th of August) €95
This price includes:
6 hours of in-studio instruction across two weeks.
All drawing materials
High quality printing paper,
Experimental printing,
20 copies of your final design
Full studio use,
Handout and prep work,
Personal feedback
Drinks & snacks
Max amount of participants: 6
Course goes through with 3.
Why this course?
At Riso Pop, we're known for our one-off workshops that provide a great introduction to Risograph printing. However, we wanted to offer something more: a short course that dives deeper into the creative and technical aspects of Riso. That's why we're thrilled to offer the Scanner Lab workshop.
As an illustrator, I understand the importance of visual storytelling and texture. These elements can transform a concept into something truly dynamic. During this two evening course, you'll learn how to use the Riso scanner creatively, experiment with textures, and explore the rich potential of analogue techniques. You'll discover how textures and layers interact to create compelling compositions, making deliberate choices to enhance your work.
By spending more time at the studio, you'll have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the printing process and receive personalized feedback on your designs. This small course, limited to a maximum of six participants, ensures a focused and intimate learning experience.
Join us to push your creative boundaries and unlock the full potential of Risograph printing!