Although there are tons of images of various Print Gocco systems all over the cyber space, there are VERY FEW online resources that actually breakdown the differences between the specific models. NEHOC has a good detailed listing of the various machines, but the information that it presents is a bit cluttered in my opinion. While on the other side of the spectrum, the most popular reference is probably the write-up done by Zakka Zakka which offers a great snapshot of the systems visually, but ultimately the particulars are sparse in it’s very broad overview. Because of this, I decided to create my own Gocco comparison chart to help fill in the gap between these two websites.

Hopefully this detailed overview of the various Print Gocco systems will provide enthusiasts a good source of information both at a glance as well as addressing some specifics. It should also help you to decide which Print Gocco system best suits your needs. Lastly, I’ve compiled some reference weblinks below the Gocco chart from my own personal bookmarks that might also be of good use for others to look at when getting their Gocco-action on.

A special Thank You goes out to both PrintAddict and Mary Gilmour for helping me unravel some Gocco related mysteries during my research; you two are awesome!

PRINT GOCCO Model Type [1]	Screen Size [2]	Registration Method [3]	Print Bed Orientation[4]	More Photos
B6	B6 Master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Static	Portrait
First generation B6 printers with the “orange” version first introduced. The stage glass was redesigned to utilize hi-mesh screens, which was featured in the “yellow” version, while the “blue” version began to ship with the new screens already included in the kit.
PG-5	B6 Master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Static	Portrait
Replaces the original B6 unit with a modified body design that is more compact and provides better support for inserting the B6 screen masters. The “orange & yellow” color scheme was first introduced then followed by an all “blue” version.
PG-10	B6 Master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Static w/ removable registration plate.	Landscape
Introduces a sturdy and transparent plastic registration plate that clips easily onto the back hing along with a digital print counter at the base of the sticky pad printing bed.
PG-10 Super	B6 Master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Adjustable print bed w/ removable registration plate.	Landscape
Improves on the PG-10 with the introduction of a moveable printing bed and a more flexible transparent registration plate while also doing away with the digital print counter. This model is the direct predecessor to the PG-11 system.
PG-11	B6 Master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Adjustable print bed w/ removable registration plate.	Landscape
Virtually identical to PG-10 Super with only minor cosmetic variations, including a set of instructions in Japanese on the front lip of the unit. But the most notable change is to the lamp housing unit which improves on the reflection of light angles to better process the outer edges of the screen.
B5	B5 Master 6¾” x 9½” (152 x 222mm)	Static w/ removable registration plate, and paper separator.	Landscape
This is the predessor to the PG Arts and was the first double size Print Gocco unit that uses a larger sized screen master (which utilizes 4 bulbs to flash) and came in two colors, the first of which was yellow and did not utilize Hi-Mesh screens nor did it feature a sticky printing bed, while the next version was black, and introduced a sticky printing bed and began use of Hi-Mesh screens. The black unit also features a removable registration plate, and a paper separator. This system can also be used to print on fabrics such as t-shirts.
PG Arts for Paper	B5 Master 6¾” x 9½” (152 x 222mm)	Static w/ removable registration plate, paper separator & paper guide table.	Landscape
Improves upon and replaces the B5 first by introducing a paper guide table along with a paper separator to compliment the removable registration plate. Secondly, the lamp housing light angle reflections were improved (simliar to the PG-11 unit) while also introducing a reflector partition to allow flashing only half of a B5 master screen.
PG Arts for Cloth	B5 Master 6¾” x 9½” (152 x 222mm)	Static w/ removable registration plate	Landscape
The PG Arts for Cloth is virtually the same system as the PG Arts for Paper with some modifications to the included accessories with the emphasis being on use for fabric-based screen printing. It does not come with the paper guide tray, the paper separator or the lamp housing reflector partition.
B6 Stamp Kit (for cloth)	PG-701 & B6 master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Free-form	variable
Used primarily on cloth allowing a free form method to stamp an image for greater flexibility in positioning of the printed object. After you “flash” a B6 master screen using another Gocco system you then clip the master screen onto the base of the stamper and begin printing. It can be used for all over stamping on both paper or cloth materials, utilizing both paper and cloth hi-mesh inks.
B6 CD-Printer	B6 Master 4¼” x 6¼” (108 x 159mm)	Adjustable print bed w/ removable registration plate.	Landscape	step-by-step usage photos from NEHOC
The CD printer was designed for use with a CD (electric) printer. Screens were made on the unit and then printed on the CD printer. It features an adjustable printing pad (similar to the PG-11) but without any lamp housing unit. It also serves as a compliment to the B6/PG-5 systems where it can be register multiple prints (such as CMYK, i.e. “full color”) at a much lower cost than buying a new PG-11 or PG Arts system.
MG-11 Image Processor photo by NEHOC	MG-11 Print Master 3¾” x 2½” (98 x 62mm)	Static	Landscape
An electronic system that eliminates the use of print lamps in favor of reusable Xenon tubes to “flash” originals and used strictly to image masters including B6, SP-8, 70Mesh & 135Mesh screen masters as well as smaller MG-11 masters for business card sized printing. This unit is a predecessor to the SP-275 model. You would use this machine in conjunction with another Print Gocco model to do the actual printing once your original master was imaged using this system. It takes three separate flashing steps to image a B6 master.
SP-275 Screen Fax photo by NEHOC	Unlimited	Variable	N/A
Similar to the MG-11 in that it is an electronic system that utilizes reusable Xenon tubs to create masters, except that the SP-275 can make adjustments to the intensity of the flash exposure when imaging a new master screen. It is also much bulkier in size (17¾” x 5″ x 16⅓”) and weight (38 lbs. / 17.5 kg) and can image any RISO screen-mesh material including B6, SP-8, 70Mesh & 135Mesh screen masters.
PG Stamp	S/2 sized stamp sheet	Overlays onto a B6 sized printing bed via a metal position plate.	Varies, depends on the Gocco model used to image a master.
Used to create miniature stamps roughly 1″x1″ in size. Uses a metal stage device that snugly overlays on top of a B6-sized printing bed to flash original designs onto stamp sheets which are then placed into the miniature stamp. Comes with separate and smaller tubes of ink as well as a cardboard paper guide.

Annotations:

^[1] All Gocco models are currently discontinued by RISO, but the majority that you can still find for sale online (via various dealers and eBay) are the B6, PG-5, PG-10, PG-10 Super, and PG-11 systems. return ↑

^[2] This is the total inner dimensions of the screen master stencil area, but the actual area that can be burned successfully is a bit smaller than this, roughly around ¾ of an inch (19mm) less from the inner edge of the cardboard frame. return ↑

^[3] Different Print Gocco models have varying registration methods, the ones labled “static” simply means that the print bed is always stationary in position, while “adjustable” means the print bed can be repositioned in relation to the screen master. Futhermore, “registration plate” refers to a removable piece that overlays the print bed to help visually position the paper underneath it when composing multi-screen prints, while lastly a “paper tray guide” is a device placed around the print bed that is used to help position the paper along the grid lines it presents. return ↑

^[4] Refers to the position of the printing bed in relation to the stamp hinge, if one is present. The B6 presents a larger distance from the top of the print bed to the back hinge than the newer PG-5 (by about 2 inches/50mm) thus making it easier to utilize some larger paper without the need to bend it as much. return ↑

Glossary:

⇒ Flashing:

Terminology used to describe the mesh-screen imaging process while it is being exposed to light to create an original stencil.

⇒ Hi-Mesh Ink:

Water-based ink developed by RISO that is used with the Gocco sytems to create screen prints. There is also a set of “fabric inks” in seven standard colors that were designed specfically to adhere onto cloth with minimal fading over time and wear; regular Hi-Mesh inks will not survive long on fabrics.

⇒ Hi-Mesh Screen / Screen Mesh:

Pre-coated screen material that has a mesh count of 200 LPI, produced by RISO and commonly found in their B6 and B5 sized master screens.

⇒ Paper Separator:

Is a device used with the PG Arts system that helps to prevent the paper from sticking to the Hi-Mesh screen during printing.

⇒ Paper Table Guide:

A flat plastic tray with grid lines that overlays onto a B5 size printing bed to help register paper, large enough to position A4 sized paper on it.

⇒ Reflector Partition:

A narrow metal partion shield used in the PG Arts system to divide the lamp housing unit into two separate areas, allowing for imaging of only half of a B5 master screen while preventing any light from “leaking” into the other side of the Hi-Mesh screen master.

⇒ Riso Screen-mesh, Screen Masters:

Material pre-coated with a laminated plastic film on polyester mesh which is then exposed to heat (otherwise known as “flashing”) to create areas that are intended to have ink pass through it onto a piece of material such as paper or cloth. They are availble in rolls, sheets and as pre-sized screens such as B6 and B5 sized screen masters.

⇒ Sticky Pad (a.k.a. Registration Bed)

This is the portion of the printing bed that has a tacky grided surface and helps to prevent the paper from sticking to the back of the master screen while creating a print impression. When not in use, it is often covered by a clear plastic sheet that originally came with the kit.

Community & Resources:

→ Save Gocco
→ Flickr Gocco Group
→ Gocco Color Chart & Matrix
→ Gocco Pocket Pal
→ Gocco Press
→ Loco for Gocco (another Flickr group)
→ Pudding Magazine (by Shu-Ju Wang)
→ We ♥ Gocco Print Show (The Wurst Gallery)
→ Weddingbee
→ Yahoo Gocco Discussion Group

Reference:

→ Cult of Gocco (article by The New York Times)
→ NEHOC’s Print Gocco systems’ specifications
→ Print Gocco Debacle (article by Associated Content)
→ RISO History (from RISO corp.)
→ Original Patent for Gocco

Suppliers:

→ eBay
→ Etchworld
→ Felt Café
→ Marlene’s Craft & Design
→ NEHOC Australia
→ Northwood Studios
→ Paper Source
→ Paper Studio
→ PrintAddict Japan
→ Rakuten
→ Wet Paint

Tips, Tricks & Tutorials:

→ 3-screen print demostration — by Amy Kingman
→ Creating custom master screen originals to silkscreen by hand — by NEHOC
→ Extending the print area on a B6 master — by Weddingbee
→ Fabric Ink Printing Tutorial — by Craft Stylish
→ Gocco Basics & Demo — by Craftershock
→ Gocco Tutorial — by GetCrafty.com
→ Gocco B6 Tutorial — by The Small Object
→ Gocco PG-5 Tutorial — by Felt Café
→ Homemade StampKit for Gocco — by Save Gocco
→ How to print a repeating pattern using a Print Gocco — by Lara Cameron
→ Imaging B6 Print Masters with PG-11 — by NEHOC
→ Registering prints using Frame Corners — by Keith Langill
→ Registration tutorial with q PG-11 — by Flower•Press
→ Reusing screen masters with StencilProâ„¢ — by Meet Me At Mike’s
→ Reviving the Sticky Pad — by Celestina Carmen
→ Screenprinting with a Thermofax Machine — by CraftChi
→ Troubleshooting with the Blue Filter — by Weddingbee
→ Using an MG-11 to image B6 masters — by NEHOC
→ Using StencilProâ„¢ or PhotoEZâ„¢ stencils with a Print Gocco B6 printer — by Circuit Bridge

(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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