Fake a risograph print with free overlays

Map the image to one ink colour, add a coloured stipple screen, nudge it out of register and finish with paper in Multiply.

Risograph prints have a look people love: grainy ink, two or three bright colours and layers that do not line up perfectly. You can fake it in Photoshop or Photopea with a stipple screen and a paper texture.

What you need

• Stipple grain screen (transparent PNG)
• Recycled beige paper or another light paper
• A photo or illustration with clear shapes

Step by step

1. Make it one colour. Add a Gradient Map layer. Set the dark end to an ink colour (a strong blue such as #2b4bd8) and the light end to white.
2. Add the grain. Place the stipple PNG on top and set it to Multiply.
3. Colour the grain. Give the stipple layer a Color Overlay (Layer → Layer Style) in a second ink, for example fluorescent pink #ff4f8b.
4. Misregister. Select the stipple layer, press V for the Move tool and nudge it 4–8 px with the arrow keys. The slight shift is what makes it look printed.
5. Paper last. Place the paper texture on top and set it to Multiply, opacity 50–80%.

Colour pairs that work

• Blue and fluorescent pink
• Black and orange
• Teal and red
• Purple and yellow