Printmaking for Illustrators: Screen Print and Risograph

Lesson 1 • Essential Tools and Consumables

Introduces screens, squeegees, Risograph drums, paper types, and inks as physical objects with specific properties. Students learn to identify and source materials confidently.

Lesson 2 • History and Context of Print Media

Traces screen print and Risograph from industrial origins to contemporary illustration practice. Grounds students in why these processes remain relevant for image-makers today.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Print Processes Side by Side

Compares the mechanical logic of screen print and Risograph to clarify their differences and overlaps. Builds a decision-making framework for choosing the right process.

Lesson 4 • Color Theory for Limited-Color Printing

Applies subtractive and spot-color thinking to the constraints of screen print and Risograph palettes. Students gain fluency in designing with two to four colors effectively.

Lesson 1 • Halftones, Textures, and Tonal Range

Teaches how continuous-tone illustration translates into printable dot patterns and textures. Students learn to control tonal gradients within the limits of each process.

Lesson 2 • Thinking in Layers and Separations

Reframes illustration composition as a stack of single-color layers that will print independently. Connects design decisions directly to physical ink passes on press.

Lesson 3 • Typography and Fine Detail Considerations

Addresses minimum line weights, type sizes, and knockout vs. overprint text for legibility. Connects typographic decisions to the physical limits of mesh and drum resolution.

Lesson 4 • File Setup and Resolution Standards

Establishes correct document dimensions, resolution, and color mode for both processes. Prevents common file errors that cause failed exposures or poor print quality.

Lesson 1 • Film Output and Screen Exposure

Explains how to output positive films and expose screens to UV light for accurate stencil creation. Correct exposure is the bridge between digital artwork and physical stencil.

Lesson 2 • Anatomy of a Screen Printing Press

Identifies every component of a flatbed and carousel press and explains each part's function. Provides the mechanical literacy needed for consistent, repeatable printing.

Lesson 3 • Registration Systems and Setup

Teaches pin registration, laser guides, and manual alignment methods for multi-color accuracy. Precise registration setup prevents color misalignment across all print runs.

Lesson 4 • Emulsion Coating and Screen Preparation

Covers emulsion types, coating technique, and drying conditions that determine stencil quality. A well-coated screen is the single most important factor in print sharpness.

Lesson 1 • Curing, Drying, and Quality Control

Explains heat curing for plastisol, air drying for water-based inks, and quality inspection criteria. Proper curing determines the durability and archival quality of finished prints.

Lesson 2 • Specialty Inks and Surface Effects

Introduces metallic, fluorescent, puff, and transparent inks to expand the visual vocabulary of screen-printed illustration. Each ink type requires specific handling adjustments.

Lesson 3 • Squeegee Technique and Ink Deposit

Develops correct squeegee angle, pressure, and stroke speed for even ink transfer. Consistent technique is the foundation of a clean, repeatable print edition.

Lesson 4 • Printing Multi-Color Editions

Guides students through sequencing color passes, managing wet-on-wet printing, and maintaining consistency across an edition. Builds production discipline for illustration print runs.

Lesson 1 • Drum Installation and Ink Management

Teaches correct drum insertion, ink level monitoring, and drum storage to maintain print quality. Proper drum care directly affects ink density and color consistency.

Lesson 2 • Risograph Machine Anatomy and Controls

Maps every control panel function, paper feed mechanism, and drum slot to its operational role. Mechanical literacy prevents user errors and enables confident troubleshooting.

Lesson 3 • Paper Selection and Feed Calibration

Covers paper weight ranges, surface textures, and feed calibration settings that affect ink absorption and registration. Paper choice is one of the most impactful creative decisions in Risograph.

Lesson 4 • Master Making and Image Burning

Explains how the thermal head burns a master from a digital or scanned source file. Master quality determines the sharpness and tonal fidelity of every print in the run.

Lesson 1 • Overprint Color Mixing on Risograph

Explores how Risograph inks interact when layered, producing unexpected tertiary colors and transparency effects. Students predict and design for overprint results before printing.

Lesson 2 • Managing Ink Ghosting and Smearing

Identifies causes of ink ghosting, smearing, and set-off and provides practical remedies for each. Controlling these artifacts is essential for producing clean, edition-quality prints.

Lesson 3 • Completing and Numbering an Edition

Covers edition sorting, quality grading, signing, numbering, and packaging for distribution or sale. Professional edition practices build credibility and protect the value of the work.

Lesson 4 • Planning a Multi-Color Risograph Edition

Structures the workflow for printing multiple color passes through a single-drum machine. Sequencing decisions made here determine the entire production flow of the edition.

Lesson 1 • File Preparation for Hybrid Editions

Adapts file setup and separation workflows to serve both processes within one cohesive artwork. Correct file architecture prevents misalignment and color conflicts between passes.

Lesson 2 • Conceptual Framework for Hybrid Printing

Establishes criteria for deciding which elements of an illustration suit screen print vs. Risograph. Strategic process assignment maximizes visual impact and production efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Production Sequencing and Logistics

Plans the physical order of screen print and Risograph passes to avoid ink damage and registration loss. Logistics decisions here determine whether the hybrid edition succeeds or fails.

Lesson 1 • Project Planning and Edition Sizing

Guides students through scoping an edition: image selection, run size, substrate choice, and timeline. Realistic planning prevents overcommitment and ensures a completed, sellable edition.

Lesson 2 • Production Efficiency and Batch Printing

Introduces batch workflows, press setup optimization, and time-saving routines for producing editions at scale. Efficiency skills translate directly to profitability in professional practice.

Lesson 3 • Presenting and Selling Print Editions

Prepares students to present work at fairs, in online shops, and through galleries with professional framing and copy. Selling skills complete the cycle from studio to collector.

Lesson 4 • Pricing, Costing, and Edition Value

Teaches material cost calculation, labor valuation, and pricing strategies for limited-edition prints. Students build a pricing model they can apply immediately to their own work.