• About/Contact
  • Risograph
  • Screenprinting
  • Thermography
  • Offset & Digital
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About

Established in 2012. Colour Code is an independent print studio and publishing platform based in Toronto, Canada. We specialize in high quality, artist friendly printing for local, US and international customers.

We also publish and distribute small-run artist books, comics, posters and other printed matter which you can find at our shop

Contact
Location

251 Sorauren Ave. Unit 104
Toronto, ON. M6R 2G3 Please call ahead for studio visits

General Enquiries

info@colourcodeprinting.com

Phone

studio: 647-404-8539
mobile: 647-272-6028

Risograph Printing

What is it?

Risograph printing is an economical and environmentally friendly way to produce books, cards, envelopes, posters and all kinds of printed matter. The Riso is designed to bridge the gap between digital laser printing and offset printing by handling run lengths that are too long for copiers or laser printers and too short for offset presses. The Riso uses soy-based inks and stencils/masters made of natural fiber to create spot colour prints quickly and affordably.

We print using a Risograph MZ 790U, MZ 990 and RZ 990 digital duplicator with 20 colours.

Colours

Risographs use oil based inks in a variety of colours, designed specifically for the machines. We stock over 20 colours to choose from. Colours can be used in combination with transparency and overprinting techniques. Note that fluorescent colours and metallics do not display on computer screens. To see colours accurately purchase our Risograph swatchbook

Black
Black U
Light Gray
424 U
Flat Gold
1245 U
Metallic Gold
872 U
Federal Blue
288 U
Light Teal
320 U
Hunter Green
342 U
Kelly Green
368 U
Blue
3005 U
Mint
324 U
Aqua
637 U
Cornflower
292 U
Raspberry Red
214 U
Orchid
2592 U
Violet
265 U
Coral
177 U
Fluorescent Pink
806 U
Fluorescent Red
812 U
Fluorescent Orange
805 U
Fluorescent Yellow
803 U
Yellow
Yellow U
Orange
021 U
Sunflower
116 U
Scarlet Red
RED 032 U

The PMS values listed are approximations for reference only. Swatch books are available in our online store.

Paper

The Riso can accept paper sizes up to 12.5" x 17" and weights from 20# bond (75 gsm) to 100# cover (270 gsm) with a print area is 11.3" x 16.5". We keep white & natural / off white in 11.5" x 17" and a range of weights as house stock, coloured paper is available by special order.

Due to the nature of Riso ink, coated and smooth papers are unsuitable for printing. We have seen the best results with paper that is uncoated with a vellum finish (i.e. toothy)

We do not print on customer supplied paper.

Imperfections

Smudging: Risograph ink is made from a combination of soy-oil, water and pigment. Only some types of paper are suitable for printing with the Riso and the prints will always retain a newspaper like quality - with enough effort you will find that the ink can smudge and rub off onto your finger tips.

Roller marks: Heavy ink coverage in a print can often result in marks when printing successive layers or on the reverse side of the press sheet. The Riso feeds paper using a set of rubber tires that travel across the center of the sheet. When feeding paper that has already been printed this can often result in track marks on the lead edge of the sheet.

Uneven ink coverage: The Risograph creates prints using a rubber roller which presses the sheet of paper against the print drum as it spins. The speed of printing and surface of the roller do not create perfect impressions. Large flat areas of ink coverage can sometimes appear slightly uneven.

Registration & Trapping: Risographs are designed for simple 1 or 2 colour graphics. To get the best results when printing more complex artwork, it is important to include trapping. Trapping is the process of adding overlap between colours that interact in order to avoid gaps or white spaces in case of misregistration. If you have any questions or need help adding trapping we're happy to do so.

File Preparation

In order to take your project to print, please provide high-res greyscale pdfs for each layer of colour to be included in your project. Include between 1/8" - 1/4" bleed as well as a low resolution colour mockup. For book projects, we can also work from an Indesign layout. Text and solid lines should be prepared as bitmaps or vectors otherwise the Riso will attempt to apply a halftone pattern to them in print. For vector, please make sure that text is outlined. If you need any assistance with setting up your files for print, we're here to help!

Screenprinting

We specialize in water-based, environmentally friendly screenprinting to produce artist prints, posters and variety of paper / cardboard packaging. We also print t-shirts, tote bags and other kinds of apparel.

Minimum print run: 25 pieces

Maximum Print Area (Paper): 18" x 24"

Maximum Print Area (T Shirts): 14" x 16"

Maximum Print Area (Totebags): 12" x 14"

Thermography
(Raised Ink)

Thermography is a process we use in conjunction with Risograph printing. Printing with any Riso colour, we apply a fine resin powder to the wet ink and send the print through a heat tunnel which melts the powder creating a raised effect.

A nice touch for invitations, postcards and smaller artist prints. Thermography can be used for 1 or 2 colour prints. Additonal colours can be printed after the thermography process but must not touch any raised parts of the print.

Digital & Offset Printing

For quantities too large for the Risograph to handle or when accurate full colour reproduction is required, we offer both digital or offset litho printing.

Offset Lithography is a commonly used printing technique in which an inked image is transferred from a metal or plastic plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. Significant setup costs make offset litho best suited for large quantities and for anything from simple black & white text to full colour illustration/photography. Minimum print run: 500qty

Digital printing replaces the printing plates in offset printing and masters in Riso with an electrostatically charged drum that is "written" with a laser. The image written to the drum then collects positively charged toner, a fine powder, which is then transferred and fused to sheets of paper as it prints. Best suited for short run, high resolution and full colour reproduction. Minimum print run: 200qty

Our Work
  • All
  • Risograph
  • Screenprinting
  • Thermography
  • Digital
  • Offset
  • New Moons for New Moods (& Garden Medicinals)Print Edition

    New Moons for New Moods (& Garden Medicinals) by Jimmy Limit & Maggie Groat

    4 colour Risograph print on 80# text weight Via Vellum 'Pure White.' Printed in faux cmyk using the Riso's Mint Green for Cyan, Fluorescent Pink for Magenta, Yellow and Black. Edition of 50.

  • Raphael GarnierPrint Edition

    Thermograved Print by Raphael Garnier

    2 colour Risograph print for Raphael Garnier. 2 layers of black ink, one layer treated with the Thermography process (i.e. raised ink). Printed on 100# cover weight Rolland Enviroprint 100 white. Edition of 50.

  • Parker Branch No. (Infinity symbol)Catalogue

    Parker Branch No. (Infinity symbol) Designed by Danielle St. Amour

    80 pages, CMYK offset, 20 pages 1 colour Risograph, perfect bound. Edition of 500. Published by McIntosh Gallery, documenting over 30 exhibitions held at the Parker Branch storefront by Anna Medelska and Jason Hallows and others.

  • The Pen Moves Across The Earth...Exhibition Catalogue

    Exhibition Catalog for The pen moves across the earth curated by Christine Shaw (Sept. 15 - Nov. 29, 2015) for Blackwood Gallery

    CMYK offset, 16 pages, self cover on 80# text weight Domtar Cougar Vellum White. First printing, 1250 copies. Second printing, 500 copies.

  • GirlsMini Zine

    Girls Mini Art Zine by Jenn Woodall

    20 pages of Risograph faux cmyk, printed with Cornflower Blue for Cyan, Fluorescent PInk for Magenta, Yellow and Black. First printing, edition of 50. Second printing edition of 25.

  • OCADU Student Union Handbook 2015/2016Agenda book

    OCADU Student Union Handbook 2015/2016 Ontario College of Art & Design University

    Black + PMS (Warm Red U) offset printing. 100# cover weight cover with matte lamination and 128 interior pages on 80# text weight, Rolland Enviroprint 30 'Natural', perfect bound, 2500 copies.

  • Phil WoollamPrint Edition

    Risograph Print by Phil Woollam

    1 colour Risograph poster for Toronto based illustrator and sculptor Phil Woollam. Teal ink on 65# cover weight French Poptone 'Whipcream.' Edition of 100.

  • Several ObservationsArtist Book

    Several Observations by Vanessa Maltese

    Screen printed board book by Vanessa Maltese, published and hand bound by Slow Editions. Black ink on French Durotone 'Newsprint.' Edition of 100.

  • Between Zero & 1Exhibition Catalogue

    Between Zero & 1 designed by Jayme Spinks

    2014 Sculpture/Installation Thesis Exhibition Catalog. 68 pages, Full colour digital print, 1 colour Risograph + Thermography cover, perfect bound. Edition of 250.

Request A Quote

Since there are many factors that affect pricing, we provide quotes on a project by project basis. To receive a quote for any of our services, send the following information to info@colourcodeprinting.com

  • Project description
  • Quantity
  • Method of printing
  • How many colours
  • Finished dimensions
Riso Printing Workshops *NOW ONLINE*

We are pleased to offer our inaugural workshop 2-colour Poster Printing completely online. Take home 25 11x17" 2-colour prints of your own creation.

Participants will learn to..
1. digitally colour separate an artwork
2. prepare a file for printing
3. print with a risograph in 2 colours

This workshop is suitable for any level of experience, however, you must be somewhat comfortable with Photoshop and using Zoom.

To adapt this workshop to an online format we will be demonstrating live in our studio with the Risograph and going through a colour separation tutorial in Photoshop with screen sharing. During the live cast you will be able to follow along with supplied demo files and use chat or audio to ask questions along the way. The final half hour will be dedicated to Q&A for your specific file set up requirements including screen sharing. Participants should submit print files via email within 24hrs. We encourage everyone to come prepared with something they would like to work on.

Prints will be available for pick up or can be shipped to your address. All print materials are provided, along with a Riso colour swatchbook. Shipping is not included and will be calculated based on address.

To book a spot in the workshop, please fill out this form. Your spot in the workshop will be confirmed once a $25 (non-refundable) deposit is made.

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Details
Location

Colour Code HQ
251 Sorauren Ave. Unit 104
Toronto, ON. M6R 2G3

2021 Dates

Approx. 1.5 - 2 hours

Monday January 18: 6:30PM-8:30PM
Saturday January 29: 1:00PM-3:00PM
Monday February 15: 6:30PM-8:30PM
Saturday March 19: 1:00PM-3:00PM

Cost

$100 (CAD) + tax
Inclusive of all materials
Shipping not included

Minimum 3 participants / Maximum 5 participants