Digital Illustration for RISO

Learn how to turn your digital illustrations into vibrant riso prints using ink overlays!

In this workshop we’ll explore all of the ways that digital illustration can be applied to risograph printing! We’ll look at the history of printing processes and ink overlays, including lithography and offset printing as it has been used in commercial and creative printing since the 1800s. We’ll look at different strategies for creating digital illustrations and go through the process of formatting your images for successful riso printing. Formatting prints for riso can be stressful and frustrating and this workshop aims to help you through that process as easily as possible so you can get on to the fun part, RISO PRINTING!! We’ll be focusing specifically on the many ink overlay and opacity techniques possible with risograph printing - especially in creating a multi-faceted and colorful image using only a few ink colors. 

Participants will walk away with an edition of their own prints, a collection of the prints made by fellow workshop attendees, a guide to reference for future prints, and several other helpful takeaways and downloads.

Attendees need to bring an iPad or other tablet for digital illustration. The instructor will be using the app Procreate but teaching in a way that applies to all digital illustration methods.

Adobe Photoshop will also be used as an example by the instructor but isn’t required.

The goal of this workshop is to create an illustration from start to finish, however you’re welcome to bring existing illustrations to work on if you’d like.

Participants must have taken the Riso Basics Workshop at Outlet to qualify for this workshop. If you have a special circumstance and would like to be considered for this advanced workshop please contact us!

Some risograph experience; basic digital illustration skills recommended but not required. If you’re new to digital illustration we’re happy to help!

The workshop fee is on a sliding scale of $200-$250 (the ticket is donation, so please input your price at check out). Price includes all printing and paper for the workshop, a set of your prints to take home with you, a collection of all prints made during the class, and several takeaways and digital downloads.

We're still requiring masks during classes and events to keep our most vulnerable community members safe. There will be no more than 8 attendees total, plus the instructor(s). We'll be taking precautions by opening our space (weather permitting), sanitizing surfaces, and maintaining as much distance as we can.

Leland Vaughan is a graphic designer, illustrator, and the co-owner of Outlet! They have been working on a yearly project since 2020 involving recreating vintage packaging and labels - from matchbooks to orchard boxes to stamps. They’re enchanted with older printmaking methods and how they can translate those to risograph. Outlet is their second home and they love spreading the joy of riso, especially when it comes to all of the beautiful overlays and ink colors that this unique printing method can give!

Outlet is a risograph press and the studio of Kate Bingaman-Burt and Leland Vaughan! We print stuff, host workshops, make zines, and facilitate pop-ups and other events. We do a lot of different things - we’re part risograph print shop, part store, part illustration studio, part workshop & pop-up event space, part community resource, and part zine library!

Host or Publisher Outlet