October 4 | Zines and Narrative Forms-Risography (4 Weeks)

Since the debut of zine culture and indie publishing in the 1950s and 60s, alternative comics and zines have forever changed the notion of narrative. By introducing visually led dreamlike scenarios, diary comics, fragmented storytelling, and DIY guides, these DIY movements—from punk to queer zines—opened up entirely new ways to share ideas. This class is perfect for anyone interested in Risograph printing techniques and experimental storytelling, offering a space to develop your printing skills and narrative voice in unison.

In this course, students will learn both digital and analog techniques for printing via the Risograph. You are free to explore any type of story, whether that takes the form of a comic, a pamphlet, a DIY guide, or a review. To inspire new methods of narrative building, we will also read and discuss a variety of local and non-local alternative comic authors. Students will gain authorization to use the Risograph machines after the very first class, and will solidify those technical skills through hands-on printing in the following weeks.

October 16 | Risography Explorations (4 Weeks)

The Risograph is an automated duplicator that efficiently produces multi-color prints with a distinct look and feel. Combining some of the best elements of photocopiers, screenprinting, and offset, risography can be an exciting medium for comic artists, writers, illustrators, designers, book artists, and more. 

Our Risography Explorations class teaches students to work with our machine. Beginning with a multi-color print, students will be introduced to risography techniques and mechanics. From there, they will create their own zine, mini-comic, or broadside to continue exploring the possibilities of the process. Students will also learn a variety of simple book forms that they can use for their independent project. 

Throughout the four weeks, students will learn best practices for designing and creating risograph prints, taking into consideration ink density, drying time, paper selection, and registration. Risograph machines are known for being rather finicky—students will also practice basic maintenance and troubleshooting, including how to change ink, reset and replace the master roll, and fix paper feed issues.

In addition to gaining authorization to print independently at Spudnik Press, students will have access to Open Studios to work on their projects.

October 16 | Risography 101 (4 Hours)

The Risograph is an automated duplicator from Japan that efficiently produces offset-like prints in a variety of saturated colors. Though not originally intended for artistic application, the machine has gained traction (and notoriety) in small-press culture for its distinctive effects and efficiency—as well as for being rather finicky.

This 4-hour workshop will walk students through the fundamentals of risography for bookmaking and fine art printing. Students will learn techniques and best practices for reproducing imagery, giving consideration to ink density, drying time, paper choices, registration, and patience. Students will become acquainted with the mechanics of the printer and learn basic maintenance, including how to change the master roll and a drum’s ink tube. Everyone will leave with an individually designed two-layer print.

Students will receive risography authorization and an Open Studio coupon, redeemable within the following 30 days. The Open Studio coupon is worth 4 hours of studio time (valued at $40) to work independently and continue what you have learned from the class.

October 18 | Riso Animation (6 Weeks)

Discover the unique world of Risograph printing and animation in this hands-on four-week course. Beginning with the fundamentals of the Risograph machine, you will progress through a complete animation workflow — learning not just how to print, but how to bring your prints to life.

Using Spectrolite, an intuitive software designed for Riso printing, you will create standalone prints, explore layering techniques, and develop a foundation for animation. From there, you will learn how to scan and composite your work in Photoshop, building toward a finished animated GIF and a short Riso animation to take home.

You will leave the course with prints, contact sheets, and a collection of digital material to continue experimenting with long after the final session. With the Risograph, practice and experimentation are at the heart of every unique result.

What to Bring

— USB drive

— Notebook

No experience is needed, simply a creative spirit and a readiness to experiment.

October 25 | Letterpress Posters (4 Hours)

Join us for this fun, social workshop to see what letterpress printing is all about. During this workshop, you’ll be able to design and print your own poster using vintage type and a traditional Vandercook press. The rich, tactile quality of ink pressed into paper will leave an impression.

Each attendee will be able to choose from a variety of fonts in our collection. With these fonts, they will learn how to set and print their own short saying, phrase, or statement to create a professional one-of-a-kind poster. Our Teaching Artist will share what moveable type is, how it works, why it’s so special, and how its invention changed the world.

This one-day workshop combines an overview of letterpress printing and its unique history with hands-on making. It is a great way to try out a new craft and find out if you would love to learn the full process.

November 12 | 4-Week Relief Animation (4 Weeks)

Note: this class will skip 11/26 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday and will therefore conclude on 12/10

This course is an exploration of the synthesis between animation and relief printmaking. Rather than editioning, students will produce a sequence of unique prints that will function as individual frames within a larger animation. Participants will then use Photoshop to transform their printed sequences into looping gifs. Throughout the course, students will mine the reductive and additive processes inherent to relief printmaking for their cinematic potential. Students will also gain experience with various elements of the traditional animation process, such as storyboarding and animatics. 

Over the span of 4 sessions, participants will receive personalized guidance towards completing their own ambitious, animated relief projects. This class also includes a voucher for free access to open studio hours, giving students the opportunity to conclude their project independently should they need extra time, even after the course’s completion. 

No experience in either medium is required to enroll.

This class culminates in authorization in relief printing at Spudnik. Further printing in relief can be explored through our Open Studio or Keyholder programs.