RETRO Stencil Printing (With RISOGRAPH Printer):

Unlike offset or standard color inkjet printing, this technique is closer to traditional screen printing—a unique form of stencil printing. From artwork preparation to paper texture and final output, it yields a distinctive printmaking style.

Embracing natural misalignments, ink rub-offs, and subtle unevenness, the finished product mirrors early vintage printing techniques. It delivers a rich, retro aesthetic—a truly modern form of printmaking!

JAM has curated a selection of paper stocks designed to pair with stencil printing inks. With endless combinations of ink and paper, the creative possibilities are unlimited.

Come experience the magic of RETRO stencil printing for yourself!

The defining signature of RETRO printing is its natural misalignment. Because each color is applied one layer at a time—much like traditional printmaking—random shifting occurs as the paper passes through the machine.

Sometimes the shift is pronounced, sometimes subtle, and occasionally it aligns with unexpected precision... While it can be a bit unpredictable, every single print carries its own unique, one-of-a-kind character.

Because RETRO printing uses semi-water-based inks, overlapping different colors creates a beautiful blending effect—much like using the "Multiply" blend mode in Photoshop. By experimenting with varying screen densities and ink color combinations, you can even achieve nostalgic, vintage-style color photo prints.

Due to the nature of RETRO printing inks, subtle smudges, roller marks, and rub-off can occur naturally. Textures reminiscent of oil pastels or pencils translate exceptionally well onto the page. Scanned charcoal artwork, for instance, reproduces with remarkable fidelity to the original piece.

Will it really rub off that much!? Yes, it really will...

Due to the nature of the semi-water-based inks used in RETRO printing, the ink never completely sets on the paper. As a result, touching the printed surface may leave ink on your hands or adjacent pages. This is especially true for large, solid color blocks with heavy ink coverage, which are even more prone to rubbing off.

RETRO Stencil Printing uses automated stencil duplicators (RISOGRAPH) for quick, accessible printing. Its process differs completely from the offset printing commonly used for mainstream magazines and posters. While offset printing relies on the chemical repulsion between oil and water, stencil printing forces ink through tiny micro-perforations etched onto a mesh master sheet.

In Japan, this method is widely recognized through newspaper inserts, flyers, and school hand-outs. It shares the exact same mechanics as traditional mimeographs (gari-ban), screen printing (popular for T-shirts), and Print Gocco—the beloved home printing device ubiquitous in 1970s and 80s Japanese households. A shared charm of these methods is that no two prints are ever 100% identical; every single sheet carries subtle, unique variations.

Stencil printing is fundamentally simple, using perforation density to control shade and tone. Lighter shades rely on sparser hole patterns, meaning tiny text printed in light tones may turn into visible dot patterns and become illegible.

Another major distinction lies in the ink: while offset printing utilizes oil-based inks, RETRO printing employs semi-water-based inks. The tactile, rich layer of ink resting on paper creates a textured finish unique to RETRO printing.

From custom-blended signature shades to vibrant fluorescent colors—often treated as expensive specialty inks in conventional printing—everything is easily accessible here. Dive in and explore the endless creative possibilities!