Located inside the bustle of Aberdeen Square, a small studio glows with the hum of a hardworking risograph machine. Welcome to CopyCat Studio, a hub where ink, artists, and imagination meet.

A Space That Prints Differently

Risograph printing sits somewhere between screen printing and photocopying, producing work that feels distinctly human. When you print risography at CopyCat, each layer of colour is printed separately using soy-based inks and stencil-style drums, resulting in textures that can’t be replicated digitally. Unlike standard digital or offset printing, Riso embraces imperfections. Think tiny shifts in alignment, subtle overlaps, and uneven ink coverage; these give every piece a handmade quality. Rows of colour drums are swapped in and out of the machine, allowing artists to experiment with layering and transparency in ways that feel spontaneous and organic. The result? Prints that look vibrant, tactile, and full of character.

CopyCat embraces the look and feel of a working studio. You’ll find drying racks, stacks of zines, and workshops of people deep in their creative process. It’s alive with a tangible momentum, the kind that comes from creating rather than producing.

Art You Can Hold

CopyCat doubles as an artist retail space, showing zines, prints, and small-run goods by independent artists. The shop’s left wall features a seasonal art show where the lineup changes often, featuring local creators like Genicecream, Ila So, Pooniverse, and more. Each piece feels personal, the output of collaboration rather than transaction.

Every piece on the shelves feels approachable and made to be lived with. This is art that invites handling, collecting, and conversation.

Workshops and the Studio Pulse

At CopyCat Studio, the risograph workshops offer hands-on sessions that guide you from the basics of machine setup to creating your own printed pieces. One of the recurring formats is an Intro to Risograph workshop, aimed at newcomers looking to explore the mechanics of the RISO press, experiment with colours, and walk away with printed work of their own.

For those ready to dive deeper, there’s a “3-Colour Risograph” class where participants choose three inks, manage layering and registration, and produce multi-colour limited editions. Other workshop variations, such as button-badge making or risograph sticker sessions, offer fun themed print activities with tangible outcomes.

A Space for Community and Creativity

Spaces like this keep art rooted in the everyday. CopyCat gives emerging artists a place to experiment without perfection as the goal. In a city where creative studios are disappearing, its presence feels essential.

Risograph printing may seem simple, but it carries a spirit that fully digital methods can’t replicate. It’s proof that art can thrive in small corners, powered by community and a steady rhythm of prints coming to life.