Many people ask me “Which Gocco should I buy?” or “Where can I buy a Print Gocco?” thus I’ve decided to put together this little article (possibly the first of a series) to share what it’s all about. Personally, I own an NEHOC Screenprint Kit which I bought from NEHOC Australia.
Basically all models of the print Gocco can be used for paper and fabric, depending on the additional accessories that you purchase or use with the machine. Similarly, the size that a print Gocco can produce is not limited by its model nor restricted by its default print size. You can do multiple exposures to one big sheet of screen mesh to produce larger prints (it’s simply more work). The differences between the models lie in the default imaging size and the accessories provided (bulbs, inks, squeegee, etc), which will allow you to print on different mediums such as paper, cloth or even ceramics!
| Model name |
Basic print size |
Print on paper | Print on cloth | |
 |
Print Gocco B6 (replaced by PG-5) |
B6 | ♥ | |
 |
PG-5 | B6 | ♥ | |
 |
Print Gocco B6 Hi-Mesh (Blue) | B6 | ♥ | |
 |
PG-10 | B6 | ♥ | |
 |
(Predecessor: Print Gocco PG-10 Super) PG-11 |
B6 | ♥ | |
 Photo by RJL20 |
PG Arts (PG-6) for paper | B5 | ♥ | |
| PG Arts (PG-6) for cloth | B5 | ♥ | ♥ | |
| A3 Thermal Screen Maker | A5, A4, A3 | ♥ |
Differences between printing on paper and printing on fabric
Ink: Well firstly, you’ll need different types of ink. You may use fabric inks on paper but the reverse is not true as paper inks on fabric will not survive washing. However, I have used fabric inks on paper without any problems. I am not sure about how archival-safe the paper or fabric inks are though.
Accessories: You’ll need a squeegee to apply the ink onto fabrics instead of “press printing” the image onto the cloth.
Where to buy?
Machines and supplies
Ebay
Etsy
Etchworld
GoccoShop
Marlene Watson
NEHOC Australia
Northwood Studios
Paper Source
printaddictjapan
Rakuten
Welsh Products Inc.
Supplies only
Dick Blick
Letters & Print
Think Ink
Wet Paint
History of Gocco
Sep., 1977 Launches a personal card printer, "Print Gocco B6." This printer enabled a user to create colorful greeting or invitation cards quickly and easily and earned high reputations as a suitable creation tool for new year’s greeting cards.
Nov., 1978 Launches a family model of Print Gocco B6, "Print Gocco B5", a larger-format card printer.
Apr., 1979 "Print Gocco B6" is donated to the Edison Museum in U.S.
Oct., 1986 Launches a high-quality Print Gocco model, "Print Gocco B6 Hi-Mesh Set," selecting blue as body color.
Oct., 1987 Launches a quick-operation Print Gocco model, "Print Gocco PG-10," selecting black as body color.
Nov., 1991 Launches a top-grade, high-precision Print Gocco model, "Print Gocco PG-10 Super" (later renewed into "Print Gocco PG-11").
Nov., 1995 Launches a digital Print Gocco model equipped with CCD and a thermal print head, "Print Gocco Digital CD-1."
Jul., 1997 Launches a sketch-book-type Print Gocco, "RISOSCRIPT", for manuscript-fond users.
Nov., 1999 Launches a digital master maker for Print Gocco, "Print Gocco Digital."
Oct., 2003 Launches a new inkjet digital Print Gocco, "Print Gocco jet V-10", equipped
History and images taken from RISO’s corporate profile
[...] How to Choose a Gocco – Some general advice on buying your first print gocco [...]
Thanks so much for this article! It’s very helpful.
Thanks so much for all the useful info above… really fantastic. I just bought the PG-6 and can’t image my life without it (I have gone totally Gocco loco). I also love how Paper Source has an online video demonstration. Is there a club out there where people can share their ideas and samples of their work? Thanks.
TiaBel: I’m glad it’s helpful to you. :)
sakm: There isn’t an official club per se but there is a Gocco Flickr group that you may be interested!
Hi!
What is the difference between the PG 10 and the PG 10 Super?
The PG 10 Super and PG 11 are the same, correct?
Thanks!
Hello bobbie, I’m not 100% sure but I think the PG 11 is a facelift model of the PG 10 Super, and the PG 10 Super is a facelift model of the PG 10. They all use B6 and Hi-mesh screens so I think you should be fine regardless of which model you’re getting. ;)
I’m interested in purchasing a gocco and can’t decide between the PG Arts for Paper or the PG5. Obviously there is a huge difference in price…I am a graphic designer and am interested in using it for printing invitations and such and am drawn to the larger size of the Arts for Paper… but it sounds like the PG5 works on larger sizes as well…I’d love any feedback to aid in making my decision! Thank you!!
Hello pinkchixon, the PG5 can print larger sizes too but you’ll need to meticulously overprint using different screens. If you are quite certain that you will be doing invitations only, I think the PG5 should suffice. If you wish to print industrial quantities, then I think the PG Arts will save you a lot of time! ;)
In my opinion, I think it’ll be good to start with the PG5 before you dive into PG Arts. And also, you can always sell your PG5 when you’re ready to upgrade and there are plenty of buyers.
Hope that helps!
The 3rd system down listed as ‘Print Gocco B6 Hi-Mesh (Blue)’ is actually the 1st PG-5 model.
The all blue PG-5 was the 1st series, which was then replaced by the yellow and orange version after about 1 year.
I’m torn between which to buy… I know you can print larger masters using the PG5, which is a bonus, but I like the idea of the registration guides for multiple inks that the PG10 and PG11 have. However I read somewhere that you can’t make larger masters with them? Is that true?
Hello astrid,
Well the PG10 and PG11 both prints B6 just like the PG5. You can make larger masters with all the machines by splitting your image and doing an overprint but it’s rather tedious though. ;)
Hi! I’ll be travelling to Tokyo in March and plan to buy a Gocco for myself. Would you know what shops sell it? Thanks!
Hello Mabel, I’m afraid I just got back from Tokyo recently and I didn’t see any shops selling craft stuff or gocco except a craft section in Daimaru.
[...] edition of 200, with one postcard representing each month of a calendar year, all produced with my Gocco B6 printer. Also included in the set is a checklist and a 16-page companion booklet explaining each of [...]
i am interested in learning more about your experience with the NEHOC A3 Thermal Screen Maker. opinions? insight? what might you tell a potential purchaser? i am looking at other options such as a second hand thermofax as well.
thanks
handpickled at yahoo dot com
Hello miss, I’d first ask if you’re buying it as a hobby or do you wish to do some serious business with it? ;) I don’t think a thermofax will be necessary as you can simply photocopy it at your nearest printer. :)
Hi ! I want to ask , where can I buy a Print gocco PG 5 in Singapore. Thanks
Hello Farina, I haven’t seen it locally but I’d imagine it’ll be cheaper to buy online even after all the freight. ;)
Can the PG Arts for cloth also take paper inks for printing on paper, or does that mess up the machine? Are there any physical differences between the PG Arts kits for cloth and paper?
Thanks!
Really useful info about the fabric inks on paper. I got a stash of fabric inks when my friends went to Japan, but need to do paper prints in a hurry and don’t have the colours I need, good to know the fabric ones are good for paper too
krissy: I’d imagine it’s ok to take paper inks because you’re using Gocco to create the “silkscreen” and not to print. The differences between lies in the supplies: i.e. PG Arts for cloth provides fabric ink whereas PG Arts for paper provides ink for paper. ;)
Steph: Glad to be of help! By the way, fabric inks wash off (the screens) so much easily compared to inks for paper too!
Just wanted to thank you for providing the summary on the different Gocco systems. Just ordered a PG Arts for Cloth and have a bid on a smaller system for my sister (or will it be a back up for me?… muwhahahha).
Looking around at the limited places that sell supplies, both in Japan and here in the US, how confident are you that we’ll be able to get inks, screens, bulbs, etc., in the long run? Are there even other sources for buying generic equipment?
Thanks!
Thank you so much, usefull +1
hi everyone
can anyone tell me if there is anywhere in london that sells gocco machines?
thanks
hi there, i’m getting marry and want to DIY my wedding invitation card, save the date card, so i would like to buy a GOCCO PG5 kit set, do anyone can tell me where can I buy one in Tokyo????
I have been interested in the print gocco pg-5 for sometime, but can’t seem to find one under $300USD anywhere online… I am able to find pg-10 and pg-11 online for $150-220USD – would you recommend just going for a pg10? Although I do prefer the ORANGE to black! :)
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hi.baby…
thx for ur info,it’s help me a lot.
…but …do u know how to use CD-1??
i bought 1,but i don’t know how 2 use it!!!!!=o=
did u ever used it?!!
hi Aphemia
i have also bought one of the CD-1 and still not managed to use it…
if you found a way in the meanwhile, please let me know.
elisa
[...] am planning on buying one (might as well spend the rest of my student loan.) This guide I found on Zakka Zakka blog compares all the Gocco printers which is very useful and extremely handy. I was pretty confused [...]
[...] am planning on buying one (might as well spend the rest of my student loan.) This guide I found on Zakka Zakka blog compares all the Gocco printers which is very useful and extremely handy. I was pretty confused [...]