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Interviewing RISO Art Studios in Norway / Netherlands
Recently, RISOGRAPH, the digital duplicator that allows creative users to enjoy color combinations and make their artworks look like old fashion print, has been gaining popularity among artists worldwide.
Especially in Europe, there are many studios with RISOGRAPH and "GOCCOPRO," an easy-to-use digital screen maker that can make a screen quickly. RISO interviewed "Knust Press" in the Netherlands and "Pamflett" in Norway; they are two of the leading studios in RISO ART in Europe today.
Knust Press Jan Dirk de Wilde Joyce Guley
Pamflett Ann-Kristin Stølan Åshild Kanstad Johnsen Siv Støldal
Desire to create their artwork with a high originality
Supporting artists
Knust Press : Netherlands
Knust press, founded in 1984, is a printing studio specializing in stencil printing techniques and a legend in the RISO ART world in the Netherlands. Thirty-eight years since it was founded, they continue to attract young artists as pioneers in the RISO ART field. The studio is also the base of the artist group called Extrapool and owns eight RISOGRAPH machines and a GOCCOPRO 100 digital screen maker. The studio supports data creation, printing, cutting, and binding.
Knust Press
Knust Press
The founder, Jan Dirk de Wilde, and Joyce Guley said, "We run our studio in a small town called Nijmegen, near the German border. We work with artists to create posters, flyers, and books. We also have a second Riso studio, totally run by volunteers at the AGA LAB, Amsterdam. I think it is essential to communicate well with the artists when working with them."
"We had to print on thick cardboard paper of 700 gsm (grams per square meter) the other day, which is impossible to feed through RISOGRAPH. We used GOCCOPRO instead to make the screen and print on the thick cardboard. The advantage of having both RISOGRAPH and GOCCOPRO is that we can offer various technologies to complete art printing, "he said. He advises artists on how to make a screen on GOCCOPRO and screen printing. He also advises using specific paper and other printable media.
of their visit to Japan.
"For some reason, there are no print studios in the Netherlands that have "GOCCOPRO", so artists come to Knust Press for highly original expressions that cannot be printed anywhere else. "RISOGRAPH" and "GOCCOPRO" are equipment for us to create their unique artworks. When an artist came from Prague in the Czech six years ago, I recommended "GOCCOPRO" to him, and he was very enthusiastic about learning screen printing. He wanted to have a GOCCOPRO there when he returned to Prague, " said Jan Dirk.
Joyce Gray, a partner of Knust Press, said, "RISOGRAPH prints are attractive because it has a handmade feel. I always feel like I am communicating with the paper to see how it comes out. I also like that if the master making on RISOGRAPH is done properly, the printed artwork comes out beautifully. I think preparation is also important for this. By thinking carefully about how I want to print out, I can make the artwork prints done satisfactorily."
The combination of "RISOGRAPH" and "GOCCOPRO"
Expanded the range of production
Pamflett : Norway
"Pamflett" is a printing studio based in Bergen, a port town in western Norway. In Norway, small studios form a community, sharing equipment such as RISOGRAPH and GOCCOPRO and information and cooperating with each other, and "Pamflett" is the core of this community. They are the organizer of the Bergen Art Book Fair, which is held annually.
Ann-Kristin Stølan (center) with the artist at the 2021 Norway exhibition.
Bergen Art Book Fair" flyer and zine, the picture book on the left is from " Kubbe Lager Museum
Ann-Kristin Stølan, the owner of the printing studio, said, "I was a graphic designer, but I wanted to do a lot more printing with RISOGRAPH, so I established the studio in 2016. Now I mainly help artists to create their artwork and print magazines, postcards, flyers, etc., for the events held by galleries and other organizations. Of course, we also make books."
They have two machines, "a two-color RISOGRAPH" and a "GOCCOPRO 100," in the studio.
"In 2019, I got "GOCCOPRO", which allows me to print on the hardcover of a book and textile. The combination of "RISOGRAPH" and "GOCCOPRO" has expanded the range of my production. We also use them for various workshops and events. Events, where customers can experience screen printing are viral.
An illustrator Åshild Kanstad Johnsen and a fashion designer Siv Støldal are partners working with Ann at the workshop.
Åshild is the author of picture books such as " Kubbe Lager Museum" a popular picture book in Japan, and she organizes workshops for children.
In the children's workshop organized by " Pamflett," children draw shapes on white paper with a black pen, cut and stick black paper, and then scan and print them on RISOGRAPH using an original black-and-white design. The children are surprised and amused to see their black-and-white drawings turn into colors and various layers of colors. It is a unique experience for every child. I also receive much inspiration for my work.
Siv will provide T-shirts in a variety of colors. Samples with original ink are displayed for participants.
we can do workshops with our guests,
which is very attractive," said Siv.
Siv, who has her brand in Norway, Japan, and worldwide, offers workshops for original printing designs on T-shirts.
She said, "You can make T-shirts on demand, and it is important to take good care of what you make and own it for a long time in terms of environmental friendliness. I think it is also important for artists who work with nature to create their work with "GOCCOPRO," which reduces the environmental impact because it doesn't need the emulsion, require washing-out water, or drain water. It is also a great place to hold workshops that can be enjoyed together with the participants.
The "Pamflett" continues to work with several studios to create RISO ART and hopes to offer workshops for artists in the future.
Knust Press and Pamflett visited RISO's headquarters Visited RISO screen printing workspaces in Shimbashi
Knust Press and Pamflett visited Japan to exhibit at the TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR 2022. Before the exhibition, they visited RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION's head office and Shimbashi showroom.
RISO KAGAKU's Head Office Showroom in Tamachi (Tokyo)
Artists showing interest in the RISOGRAPH MH9350 with printed samples
First, we showed them around our head office showroom in Tamachi (Tokyo), where various equipment for RISOGRAPH and the High Speed Inkjet Printer ComColor are exhibited.
They were particularly interested in the RISOGRAPH MH9350, a digital printing duplicator capable of duplex printing. It was the first time they had seen the duplex-capable RISOGRAPH, a model available in Japan-on. They opened the front door to check inside and were impressed by the high precision of the printing samples. They also took a closer look at the printed pieces using different types of paper.
with Riso Kagaku staff.
Next, they went to the Shimbashi showroom, where the "MiScreen a4" the compact digital screen maker, and the "GOCCOPRO series" digital screen maker were showcased.
They were then taken on a tour of the process from the screen making to printing using the "MiScreen a4". They also saw a demonstration of "GOCCOPRO," which both studios own. As the staff explained the different appearances of print results on the fabric depending on the other kind of ink and colors of materials, they had an interactive time for them by grabbing samples and asking questions.
which Siv is going to use at workshop
at the TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR 2022.
Ann-Kristin Stølan and RISO staffs
A commemorative photo was taken in the "Showa-retro" restaurant area of the building where the Shinbashi showroom is located.
Finally, they visited the "Hand Saw Press" studio in Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo. They had a meaningful exchange of information because all three studios are deeply involved in creating RISO ART. It was as if we were watching RISO ART becoming a common language and studios and artists worldwide becoming connected through RISO ART.
