The underlying technology of a Risograph is very similar to screen printing. It uses a 'master' copy in which the other copies are created from. The original image file is put through the scanner and therefore the master created. It burns a negative of the image onto the master sheet. This is then wrapped around the print drum and ink forced through it (similar to a screen print). This all happens fairly quickly thus ideal for high volume printing for single colours. The university charges per master as that is what costs money. It costs £1 for an A3 master no matter how many copies - well up to 500. Therefore these machines are perfect for zines as we can print quickly and with a low cost.
The Risograph prints one colour at a time therefore, if you want two colours (or more) you have to put the paper through again. However, the Art School doesn't have all the colours therefore this would an important aspect to take into account. I am not sure how effective this would be for our zine as we have several colours in it. Additionally, its has a very handmade element of cutting and sticking which the risograph cannot reproduce despite the very rough print quality of the machine.
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