Exploriso: Low-tech fine Art:
A Multi-Layered Compendium

The establishment of a large number of small independent publishing houses fifteen years ago led to a revival of risography. At this point, artists and designers from all over the world have installed a “Riso” in their studios. With this printer, they produce small print runs inexpensively and independently of large printing houses. Smaller, self-initiated publishers in Latin America still print exclusively on the Risograph on grounds of cost.

The primitive stencil printing process has a huge colour spectrum and creates an interesting optical effect by means of spot colours and coarse screening. This gives the result a homemade look. The result is the self-initiated project “Exploriso: Low-tech fine Art”. While the publication looks at Riso printing from an artistic point of view, it describes the necessary steps for (re)producing your own editions. In the book, factors like colour, paper, file preparation, printing, and processing are explained. Exploriso appears in the first year of the Discovered series.

Another new feature of the publication is the explanation of how to produce MultiColor color profiles on the Risograph. The Exploriso Color Suite is coupled by text snippets from well-known Riso users who share their love of the Risograph with readers. In addition to exclusively produced Original prints, other contributors to Exploriso include Sigrid Calon, Joao Doria (The Ventriloquist Press), Paul John (Endless Editions), Craig Proud (Dizzy Ink), Rachel Littlewood, Mr. and Mrs. Rio, Marjolein Schalk (Wobby Club), the Leipzig Riso Club, and the South Korean RISO print studio Corners.

The self-initiated project also led to putting the full scope of the book online. In German and English — with another language to follow. This website features all texts, images and color profiles. Have a look: https://www.exploriso.info

Client:

Self-initiated

Size:

170 × 240

Technique:

Offset, RISO

ISBN:

978-3-959053-0-44

Photos:

Studio Tillack Knöll, Sven Tillack

URL:

http://www.exploriso.info

Studio Tillack Knöll is a multicreative design practice that concerns itself with the visual and spatial aspects of communication. We design exhibitions, wayfinding systems, books, visual identities and digital experiences for a variety of clients involved in architecture, art, science and commerce to cultural institutions and NGOs.