Hallagan Business Machines and ChiDM are partnering to host a one night only pop-up gallery entitled Risograph: Redesigned.

First opening its doors in 1946 in Toyko, Japan, Risograph finds its roots in mimeograph technology. The machine is designed to create a master on wax-like paper, almost like a stencil, and stamp it onto the pages, creating a “live ink” look. The machine uses soy-based ink and can offset print runs of hundreds at 150 pages per minute.

Often described as a cross between screen printing and photocopying, the Risograph blends modern technology with the ancient art of printmaking. This workshop will highlight a tool that is often used as a workhorse for production, a mode for graphic artists, and as a press for small-run publications. On site, we will have a Risograph machine for you to learn about and experiment with. Come learn, make, celebrate the end of the semester, and meet other ChiDM student members!

At this CIW Lab, discover the practice of Risograph printing, a high-speed printing system that has its roots in Japan. In the workshop, you’ll head to the Chicago Design Museum, one of Chicago’s most creative spaces, to learn the basics of the technique and how to operate the unique machine. Find out how the masters of the trade create breathtaking prints, and gain a grasp on how you can do the same.