Rag and Tone Studio

Rag and Tone is an illustration, design ,and print studio based in North London. Run by Samuel Rogers, also known as Samuel Esquire, Rag and Tone produces Risograph printed and sustainable greetings cards, stationery and art prints, using soy and rice based inks on 100% recycled papers.

Studying Graphic Communication at University, and specialising in illustration, Samuel developed a keen interest in print, spending the majority of his time exploring the screen printing facilities. After graduating, various DIY screen-printing set-ups were devised in living rooms and bedrooms, washing out screens in showers and bathtubs before moving into commercial print.

As an illustrator, Samuel has worked on various editorial and private commissions for clients such as Red Bull, Little White Lies magazine, PlayStation, Warner Music, and Shortlist Magazine. He was also a founding member of Puck Collective, a worldwide illustration collective that exhibited at Somerset House for Pick Me Up, The Church of London, Jaguar Shoes collective, and The Book Club, as well as hosting various life drawing classes and printing workshops.

Having worked in print for over 10 years, involving most modern processes such as Digital, Offset Lithography, Digital Offset and Inkjet, it was a Risograph machine that really excited Samuel, with it’s vibrant yet restricted spot colour pallets, as well as the speed and efficiency of the process.

After years of juggling the collective, illustration commissions and print work, it was decided to fuse all these passions into Rag and Tone Studio, combining hand illustration, Riso printing, and graphic design into one endeavour.

‘Rag’ in Rag and Tone refers to the cotton rags of used cloths that, in the 19th Century, were the primary material source to manufacture many papers; the original recycled paper. ‘Tone’ refers to the Riso process that requires a tonal image to turn into a stencil for each individual colour layer, similar to screen-printing.

At the heart of these illustrated cards is a love of the hand drawn image using traditional techniques, like pen and ink, which are later scanned and digitally coloured, creating the colour overlays and layer splits that lend themselves so well to the Riso printing process.

Inspired by Popular culture, the comic books of Samuel’s youth (and present!), and the intricacy of Victorian era illustrations and etchings, Rag and Tone aims to fuse modern day culture with classic designs, exploring the combination of fine line work and bold use of colour.

@ragandtonestudio
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