Made With Care Riso Printing at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Stepping into new creative spaces offers our collective of artists room to explore different art forms and test ideas, build skills and connect with other creatives across the country. On the 20th of September, some of our Made with Care participants took a trip to Dundee for an incredible Risograph printing workshop at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA). From learning traditional Riso layering and working with a Riso printer, to mastering digital illustrations on Procreate, it was an inspiring day of learning and turning personal projects into physical print.
A Space for Creative Exploration and Connection
Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) proved to be an ideal space for creative exploration - a welcoming, light-filled environment where ideas can be tested without pressure or judgement. Surrounded by professional-grade printmaking tools, incredibly supportive and trauma-informed facilitators and a culture that celebrates grassroots publishing, this was a great location for zine printing.
A major highlight of the day was working alongside the DCA studio team. The facilitators were very knowledgeable and generous with their expertise, and deeply encouraging throughout the full day. From troubleshooting alignments to offering practical tips on colour combinations for prints, the attention to detail and care that went into assisting the participants to create their work was unmatched.
Among the team was an artist whose work one of our young creatives has long admired and collected. Having the artist co-facilitate made the workshop extra special.
Learning How to Riso Print Zines
Risograph printing was invented in Japan in 1980 as a fast, low cost and more environmentally friendly alternative to using emulsion ink. The process combines the speed of photocopying with the vibrant, textured ink layering of screen printing using large drums of soy-based ink. This provides the perfect medium for our artists to experiment with publishing and visual storytelling using a fun, affordable, creative and eco-friendly printmaking tool.
During the session, the group explored a variety of techniques including testing different paper weights and colours to see how the Riso ink react with different surfaces. By learning how to set up files using Procreate in the iPad, separating digital artwork into colour-coded channels and export layers, participants gained a better understanding of how graphic design, digital illustrations and zines made on Canva would translate into physical Riso drum passes.
Spotlighting Individual Projects
A highlight of the trip was seeing each participants vision come to life via the Riso drums. Each project, zine and print reflected a unique creative direction and personal perspectives and passions.
One creative brought along a painting of their dog, transforming the artwork into a series of incredibly cool, unique and colourful Risograph prints for personal gifts to family, friends and for The Articulate studio in Glasgow.
In a second publication they printed powerful zines focused on ableism and the lived experiences of disabled people in society, directly responding to recent UK media invalidating invisible disability. This project features artwork and written contributions from creators across Articulate, elevating community voices and shared stories.
One creative produced a striking set of zines titled "Ayrshire: A History of Solidarity" exploring the stories of solidarity throughout Scotland. Using print and typography as tools for social commentary, advocacy and creative alternatives to learning and education. They also produced a series of prints of their upcoming designs for t-shirts, posters and stickers to encourage more community solidarity during a time that can so often feel divisive.
One creative translated hand-drawn illustrations into multi-layered Risograph prints, creating a series of posters of original and recognisable artwork. They experimented with different colour schemes and drawing techniques to achieve their final product.
Art Swaps and Shared Stories
To close out an already inspiring afternoon, the session finished with a traditional art swap among participants and facilitators. It provided a memorable moment for the group to connect over their mutual love for visual art and storytelling. Sharing prints and zines and discussing how narratives, history, politics and community all feed into modern printmaking felt like a fitting end to a day rooted in shared learning, positive social change and artistic expression.
Going Forward
Leaving DCA with fresh stacks of A3 and A4 zines, new graphic design skills, and fresh inspiration, the trip highlights the importance of community support and creative access. The techniques learned - from digital prep in Procreate to physical Riso execution - will continue to inform our upcoming projects and market stall offerings.
We already have some of the zines made on the day available to purchase on the Made with Care shop now!
Want to support young creatives or check out the zines and prints made during our DCA workshop? Keep an eye on our social media and blogs for upcoming events, and explore the whole collection over on our shop page. Every purchase helps artists with care-experience continue learning, creating and sharing their stories with the world.
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