The Design Emporium press is a lil print shop run by Sarah Lawrence & Ryan Splitlog in Atlanta, Georgia.
We make stuff but also encourage you to come make stuff with us.
Can I print something with you?
Design Emporium Press is an Atlanta-based risograph studio making prints with punch. We specialize in zines, posters, cards, and weird experiments; whatever gets ink on paper in an unexpected way.
Founded by designer and illustrator Sarah Lawrence, the studio is a mix of sharp design, analog charm, and a little creative mischief. We work with artists, nonprofits, and community groups to turn ideas into bold, tactile prints that feel as good as they look.
If you need a stack of flyers with personality, a zine that actually gets read, or something completely offbeat, we’re in. Simply fill out the quote form and we’ll follow up in about a day or two. Turnaround is typically about two weeks from final file approval.
We can’t wait to see what you’re dreaming up.
Have questions about how to set up your files? We offer a 45-minute consultation that will answer any question you might have about colors, file setup, printing, binding, and anything else that comes to mind.
Ok but I’ve never heard of Riso, what is it
A risograph printer is basically a photocopier that works like a screenprinter. This eco-friendly technique uses soy-based inks and layered stencils to create vibrant, textured prints that often feel delightfully handmade.
Known for its unique imperfections, like slight misalignments and quirky ink textures, each print has its own charm. Originally designed for churches and office use in the 1980s, the Risograph printer has since become a favorite among artists and designers for zines, posters, and creative projects. Plus, it’s super sustainable, using minimal energy and producing very little waste!
It’s less like a printer and more like a photocopier with unique colors.
Each color is printed separately – so if you have a 3-color piece of artwork, we need to run the same paper through the machine 3 times. This means with every pass through the machine, things get a little more interesting.
Specs:
Max paper size: 11x17”
Max image size: 11x16” (we can’t do full bleed on large paper, but we can on smaller)
Paper weight range: 13lb bond to 110lb index (46 gsm to 210 gsm)
Scan resolution: 300 x 600 dpi
What we print:
Posters
Art prints
Zines & booklets
Menus
Flyers
Postcards
Rack cards
Business cards
Mini prints
Buttons
Projects that need a little magic via limited colors and imperfect charm
If you’re not sure if your idea is a fit, just ask! We love weird projects and if you propose something we haven’t done yet, we’ll probably give you a “hey that’s a great idea” discount.
“Risography is a stencil-based printmaking method that uses plant-based ink derived from rice bran and stencils made from natural fibers, including banana leaves.
While the Risograph is often described as the combo of silkscreen and Xerox machines, its unique and vibrant colors set it apart from other printing methods.”
– Amanda Chung, SVA
Here are the colors we have:
Medium Blue:
#3356A4
Fluorescent Pink:
#FF48B0
Sunflower:
#FFB511
Emerald:
#19975D
Black:
#000000
File Setup & Consultations
If you already prep your own separations, amazing. If not—no stress.
We offer a 45-minute consultation (via Zoom) for file setup questions, color layer prep, mockups, and general project brainstorming. You can schedule this any time through our Calendly and this will answer any question you have about riso printing (and then some). We’ll also mail you a little swatch kit to handle in person and see how the inks look.
When you send final artwork, please organize files as:
One grayscale file per color layer
At 300–600 dpi
Labeled clearly with intended ink colors
Plus a full-color mockup so we know what you’re envisioning
If that sounds overwhelming, tell us! We can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We have a simple calculator you can use to estimate your project cost. Prices are flexible based on complexity, finishing needs, and the inevitable Riso weirdness that we have to plan around. After you submit your quote request, we’ll confirm exact pricing before anything moves forward.
-
Most jobs take around two weeks once files are approved. Complex multi-layer projects may take longer. Your quote email will include a more precise timeline.
-
Yes! We currently ship all over the United States, but if you’re also in Atlanta we can coordinate local pickup or drop off.
-
If your project makes sense for our audience, we’d love to help share it. With your permission, we may feature your prints in our studio newsletter or on our socials. This is optional, but our community loves seeing what people are making.
-
We do not offer open studio time or rental printing. Our machine stays busy with ongoing projects, and maintaining consistent print quality requires more downtime and calibration than drop-in printing allows.
That said, if you want to understand the medium better, our file setup consultation is the perfect way to learn how Riso works and plan your project with us.