The Basics
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Rathaus Studio is a community art space located in the Columbus Building in Rochester, NY. Our goal is to make risograph printing and book arts more accessible, with a focus on the queer community. We offer workshops, affordable studio access, 1:1 guided sessions, and more!
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A Risograph printer is a stencil duplicator. It is capable of printing in many colors, but only one at a time. Each color has a specific ink drum that is loaded into the machine. The image itself is burned onto a rice paper master and then wrapped around the drum, where ink is then pushed through it (similar to screen printing). The process is often described as a cross between screen printing and photocopying.
Risograph duplicators are used for a variety of things, from office settings to zines, flyers, books, posters, and art prints. Because they use a soy based ink, the process is cheaper long term and more environmentally sustainable.
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Risograph Printing
Risograph MH9450 with 21 Colors, including:
Scarlet, Fluorescent Pink, Fluorescent Orange, Paprika, Sunflower, Yellow, Sea Foam, Blue, Teal, Hunter green, Burgundy, Cornflower, Steel, Light lime, Orchid, Light Mauve, Brown, Bisque, Black, White*, Gold*
*Specialty colors, upcharge for printing
See color examples on our Portfolio Page
Bookbinding and Other Supplies
Text and Cover Weight Paper Available for Purchase
Triumph 4800 Series Electric Paper Guillotine
Coil binder
Saddle Stitch Stapler
12”x48” Light Table
Collage Materials
Glue Sticks, Scissors, Xacto Knives, Bone folders, Markers, etc
Digital Lab
iMac Computer Station with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
Epson WorkForce WF-7820 (Color inkjet printer and scanner, up to 11”x17”)
Toshiba Color Laser Photocopier
Miscellaneous:
Work Tables
Zine and Art Book Library
Interested in donating something? Email us!
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Printing:
$1 Per Master, $.06 Per Impression
What does that mean? A master is each original stencil, so every unique layer you print. An impression is each time a piece of paper goes through the machine. So 50 2-color prints would be 2 masters and 100 impressions, or 7 dollars.
Access Options:
Hourly Rental - $5 Per Hour
Guided Session - $60 for 2 Hours, $75 for 3 Hours
1 Month Membership - $60
6 Month Membership (Billed Monthly): $50 per month
6 Month Membership (Billed Up Front): $250
Please inquire via email about monthly memberships.
Want your work printed for you by Rathaus Press?
Click here for quotes on commission printing.
Access Options
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Coming soon!
If you don’t need to use the equipment but are looking for a place to get some work done, you are welcome to stop by! No cost, no reservation required.
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After taking an orientation you are able to book time on the risograph printers. Currently only open by appointment, monitor hours will be listed soon!
Hourly rental is $5 per hour, cost for printing is $1 per master and $.06 per impression.
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Haven't printed on the riso before? Want a little extra help with your project? This is a one on one private session with Evan where you can learn the ropes (or get a refresher) of the machine. This session can act as an orientation and qualify you for independent printing. Printing for this session follows a la carte pricing of $1 per master and $.06 per impression. Paper can be purchased in the studio if needed.
$60 for 2 Hours, $75 for 3 Hours + Printing Cost
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Have a big project, irregular schedule, or just anticipate printing more? Consider a monthly membership to print outside of monitored hours. Requires an orientation!
Benefits include: Key access to the studio, 30”x30” flat file for storage, and a monthly allowance of 6 masters and 300 impressions
Pricing:
1 Month Membership: $60
6 Month Membership (Billed Monthly): $50 per month
6 Month Membership (Billed Up Front): $250
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Rathaus Studio is a community space, and we offer incentives for helping out! Discounts to monthly membership are available by volunteering at the space for 5+ hours per week. Tasks can include monitor hours, general cleaning, teaching workshops, and anything else you think you could do for the space! These memberships are flexible, email us with your availability and some ideas of how you could help.
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We offer 5 cubicle style studios in our space at affordable prices, ranging from 64 sqft to 80 sqft. All are currently occupied, please email evan@rathaus.press to be added to the waitlist. Priority is given to queer artists.
Workshops
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No orientations are currently scheduled, follow rathaus.press on instagram for updates.
Interested in learning about riso? This group orientation covers everything you need to know to get started! In this 2 hour class we will go over the basics of risograph printing, help you design a 2 color print using collage materials, and then print your design. No experience necessary, all materials are provided. This class qualifies you for reserving independent printing time.
Private group orientations are also available for 3 or more people at $25 per person. Email evan@rathaus.press to set up a time!
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Rathaus offers custom workshops for schools, universities, organizations, or any other interested group. Email us with some information on what you’re looking for, possible dates, and budget, and we can work with you!
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Have an idea for a workshop? Send us an email! Include what you’d like to teach and any relevant experience you have. We will go from there and determine logistics like class size, cost, and timing.
