Typographic Printing Program is an intense design-focused typography and letterpress printing program combining the old with the new. It has been initiated and is based around the practice of Swiss poster designer and letterpress printer Dafi Kühne. Its goal is to experiment with progressive typography in combination with traditional analog tools. All exercises will be realized with letterpress printing presses and physical type. Through this very slow but accurate process, the participants will learn to put emphasis on concept and micro typography, while exploring new approaches with old technology.
Since 2016, TPP has had more than 100 participants from a total of 24 different countries. In 2022 and 2023 we have conducted satellite sessions in collaboration with Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography in Pasadena, CA.
1Analog versus digital
At Typographic Printing Program, we focus on new typographic approaches and the work with traditional methods. While fully embracing the quality of analog design and production processes, the program never neglects digital tools. Our post-digital approach means that our practice is never «analog versus digital», but always «analog and digital».
2Typography first
Letterpress printing itself is not a design concept. Therefore, mediocre design concepts and typography do not improve just because they are printed by means of labor-intensive manual techniques. For this reason, we focus intensely on concepts, layout and the details of typography before moving on to physical production. We aim to provide participants with a visual repertoire to help them generate ideas and develop profiled typographic solutions.
3Breaking the rules
Only those who know the rules can understand when they can be broken—and how to break them. We actively engage with the rules of typography and «good» printing, visual hierarchies, grids, proportions, letterforms, and white space—to then reinterpret and break those rules. Typography can be meticulous and precise in some details, and wild and chaotic in other aspects; we embrace all of them.
4De-romanticizing print
The Typographic Printing Program critically examines the history of traditional letterpress typography, thereby avoiding the romanticism often invoked by artists using conventional tools. Letterpress printing has shaped our typographic system for more than 500 years; we want to activate that history, modernize it, and make it accessible and attractive to contemporary designers. Only by experimenting and combining it with modern tools and processes can we fully transfer the old technology into the 21st century and preserve it for the future.
5Semantics versus style
The semantic connection between typographic forms and content is essential to good typography. We don’t think in boxes called style, but in typographic colors, smells, sounds, rhythms, volumes, tastes, thoughts, and their links to the content. Rather than reapplying styles and copying visual ideas, we want to develop sensual connections between content and form and drive the quality of printed communication forward.
6Research lab
The program is to be understood as a typographic research lab. We focus on experimental typography and conceptual poster design. Only by pushing boundaries in a safe institutional environment (with fictional tasks) can we reset the future limits of commercial design projects. We reinterpret old printing technologies by exploring legibility and expressive typography while creating a playful connection between content and form. Thus, we can actively examine the future of typographic poster design and letterpress printing.
7Typographic posters
Poster design is the ultimate discipline of visual reduction. One loud message visualizing a single concept must be enough to capture the viewer’s attention. Within the broad field of poster design, we choose to work with typography and we limit the use of type and type-related forms to communicate a message. Within these restrictions, we see the challenge of exploring the essence of graphic communication.
8Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Typographic Printing Program provides a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for participants of different backgrounds from all around the globe.
In past classes, we welcomed participants with professional backgrounds ranging from young graphic design students at the beginning of their careers to highly experienced university instructors. For each session, we select a diverse group on the basis of their letters of motivation and CV—never portfolios. Participants at any level are welcome as long as they are motivated to work intensely and are open to new approaches.
The Typographic Printing Program respects and values all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, and nationalities. All exercises and theoretical materials are appropriate for all levels of expertise. In the group we support each other and finish our work days together. While we critically analyze and discuss the results of our work sessions and encourage everyone to engage in rich group discussions, we do not accept any disrespectful behavior; we are committed to providing an environment free of judgment.
Dafi Kühne
Dafi Kühne is a poster designer, letterpress printer and design educator. Dafi is organizing and coaching the whole program. He studied Visual Communications at Zurich University of Arts and holds a Master of Research in Typeface Design from the University of Reading, UK.
Since 2009 Dafi Kühne has built up his unique studio and workshop babyinktwice in Näfels, straight in the Swiss Alps. In his work, he specializes in typographic posters for music, art, architecture, theatre, and film projects. Every project he produces gets processed through at least one of his number of printing presses from the 1960s. Dafi’s posters can be found in different collections in Switzerland and the USA, have been awarded multiple times with Society of Typographic Arts in Chicago, The Type Directors Club NY and Tokyo and 100 Beste Plakate, and have been shown in many international publications on graphic design and letterpress printing.
Besides his working practice, Dafi has been giving lectures and teaching short seminars and full semesters at different universities in Switzerland, Germany and the USA. His educational video series The Dafi Kühne Printing Show™ has been awarded with a Tokyo TDC award as well as with a Swiss Design Award in 2021.
Visiting instructors
During the summer sessions in Switzerland, the participants will be joined by visiting instructor Julia Marti from Edition Moderne, who is teaching one full day with the class.
Visiting lecturer
On three evenings, we have a great variety of guest lectures from fantastic Swiss designers.
Hand-cut linoleum and Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2018
Hand-cut linoleum and Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2020
Hand-cut linoleum and Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2018
Hand-cut linoleum and hand-set metal type, HBKSaar 2018
Hand-cut linoleum and hand-set metal type, TPP 2018
Hand-cut linoleum and photopolymer plates, Workhshop VCU 2013
Hand-cut linoleum, Workshop ECAL 2018
Laser-cut MDF and hand-set metal type, Workshop HBKSaar 2012
Hand-cut linoleum and hand-set metal type, TPP 2018
Laser-cut mdf and hand-set metal type, TPP 2019
Hand-cut linoleum and Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2017
Hand-cut linoleum and Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2019
Laser-cut MDF, hand-set metal type and cast Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2020
Hand-cut linoleum, Workshop at ECAL 2014
Hand-cut linoleum and cast Ludlow hot metal slugs, TPP 2020
Hand-cut linoleum, Workshop at HFG Karlsruhe, Germany 2017
Hand-cut linoleum, Workshop ECAL 2014
Plottet vinyl stickers, Workshop at F+F Zürich, 2015
Hand-cut linoleum, Workshop Ecal 2014
Posters
Over the course of the two weeks, each participant is developing a poster for a given fictional cultural event. Through a guided process of making 200–400 hand-sketched design iterations, each participant will develop a unique layout that then will be letterpress printed in several runs on a proof press. All the processes can be transferred to the digital practice and just imagine how rewarding it is, to hold your final printed poster in your hands!
babyinktwice
The summer sessions are hosted at Dafi Kühne’s studio in Switzerland. The studio in Näfels, Switzerland is a 400m² (4300 square feet) light-flooded factory floor filled with roughly 25 tons of letterpress equipment. It is a unique studio space offering an ideal workshop environment for 12 participants per session.
Each participant will get a space at a working desk in the main room. Equipment available for possible use in the project: 3 FAG letterpress proof presses, ~850 cases of metal and wood type, a Ludlow hot metal caster, a pantograph to cut wood sorts, a large format laser cutter, a photopolymer processor and many other historic and modern tools.
Although participants will get access to all the equipment in the studio, there is no guarantee to be trained on all of the different tools. We try and choose the tools and techniques as they fit the assigned design projects to find an appropriate way to reproduce your developed concepts.
Accommodations and travelling
Can you help me with finding accommodations for the workshops?
We have this list of recommendations for accommodations.
Näfels is a small town and options are limited. Of course you’re welcome to book whatever you can find through any platform—but please be aware of commuting to the studio daily. What looks straight and flat on a map might actually have a mountain in between! So please talk to us if you find something and you’re unsure if it is suitable for daily commuting.
Here is where the studio’s at: babyinktwice
Mühlhäusern 2, 8752 Näfels, Switzerland
Are accommodation provided with the course?
No, though the course fees cover all the needed materials at the workshop—individual travel costs, meals and accommodation are not included and are within the responsibilities of the participants.
Can you help me obtain a visa to travel for any of the sessions?
We can provide program confirmation letters that can help you apply with your embassy. Any visa application process and all travel arrangements, however, are with the responsibility of the participant.
Application
Why can’t I sign up directly? Why do I have to apply for the program?
Typographic Printing Program doesn’t have a direct sign up process, but is asking for applications. Read this short blog article on why and how this application process works.
«5 questions to Dafi Kühne about the application process»
Don’t get scared off by the application process—it really just makes sure you can work with a crazy cool and diverse group of cohorts and type geeks, who all share similar interests…
Are you planning to offer more sessions in Pasadena, CA?
From 2022–2023 we offered satellite sessions of Typographic Printing Program at the fantastic premises of Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography at Art Center in Pasadena. For now, we are planning shorter workshops in collaboration with HMCT in Pasadena, CA (check the teaching schedule of Dafi Kühne on babyinktwice.ch.
Certificate
Do I receive a confirmation that I have attended the program?
Yes, you’ll get a letterpress printed certificate of attendance stating that you have completed the 120-hour Typographic Printing Program and learned about type theory, type history, semantic typography, layout composition, and letterpress production.
Experience
Do I need any previous experience in graphic design or typography to participate in any of the sessions?
No, participants at all levels are welcome here, as long as they are motivated to work intensely and try new approaches. All typographic exercises and instructions are designed to take participants from any level and push them as far as possible. Experienced designers, as much as beginners, can jump in at their level.
Do I need any previous experience in letterpress printing to participate in any of the sessions?
No, participants at all levels are welcome here, as long as they are motivated to work intensely and try new approaches. All printing exercises and instructions are designed to take participants from any level and push them as far as possible. Experienced printers, as much as beginners, can jump in at their level.
Fun
Are the workshops fun?
Oh, yes they are the best and you’ll make friends forever!
Read some of the blog articles from former participants in the category «people».
Meals
Are meals provided with the course?
No, though the course fees cover all the needed materials at the workshop—individual travel costs, meals and accommodation are not included and are within the responsibilities of the participants.
Payment
Is there an application fee for any of the sessions?
No, but please carefully read our terms regarding cancellation fees.
When and how do I make the payment for the class?
We will send you an invoice after your acceptance. Payments have to be made via international wire transfer or credit card within 30 days of acceptance. The earlier you get accepted, the earlier you have to make your payment to reserve your spot. All transfer fees (credit card fees (2.5%) or international wire transfer fees (ask your bank)) have to be covered by the participant.
More questions? Donʼt hesitate to get in contact.
We currently offer two slots for the summer session in Näfels, Switzerland.
Typographic Disillusion I
Stop believing in the illusion of bad typography! For 2024, Typographic Printing Program breaks the typographic hallucination, daydreaming and misinformation and brings you the full analog phantasma and disillusion.
Typographic Printing Program in Switzerland with Dafi Kühne is an all-round 2-week intensive summer program in Switzerland for international graphic design enthusiasts. The workshop’s goal is to bridge the gap between analog design and production tools and professional contemporary typographic posters. The participants will go through a number of analog tasks to experience the layout qualities of simple type-only layouts. All the experiments and layout exercises will be realized with traditional letterpress printing presses and physical type. Through this very slow but accurate analog process, the participants will learn to put emphasis on concept and micro typography.
This program is a great opportunity for the participants to see and learn first-hand from one of the few internationally renowned contemporary letterpress poster designers.
After a rigorous design process, the participants will each produce a letterpress printed typographic poster printed with a variety of production tools like physical type (wood and metal type), chipboard, lasercut mdf, linoleum, hand-cast Ludlow type slugs, and many more… Every aspect of the design process that is taught and intensely trained with the tutors in the analog way will be easy to translate to the contemporary design practice for the participants’ future career.
Schedule
We offer 2 summer sessions in 2024 (I. and II.). Both sessions will have a similar program schedule, though guest lectures and instructors may vary. Get in is on a Sunday evening and wrap-up is two weeks later on a Saturday around noon. The program consists of a total of 12 fully coached workshop days. Each day, we begin 9.00am and regularly work until 6.30pm, with a 1-hour lunch break and some shorter breaks throughout the day. The intense workshop is meant to use the time as efficient as possible and give you the best typographic intense class we can offer. Loaded with as much educational information as we could—having as much fun as possible.
See this provisional schedule for Session I.
Target group
The sessions target graphic design enthusiasts and type nerds of any level and experience as well as letterpress printers with a strong interest in contemporary poster design. Participants of any entry level are welcome, as long as they are motivated and willing to work intensely. We work long days and want to give the participants the full load of typographic-poster-design-fun.
Learning goals
—Conceptual typographic design work, analysis and discussion of poster layout sketches: over the course of the 13 workshop days, we intensely work on typographic concept sketches and analog iterations to give the participants a vocabulary to approach future design projects.
—Critical engagement with content: the participants discuss and find a perfect balance between words, layout and message that we call semantic typography.
—Type theory: throughout the workshop, we will introduce and discuss the theory and history of type and work though +-50 theory sheets packed with insights and background information on the good use of type.
—Manual typesetting, kerning, linespacing, rags. Handling of letterpress proofing presses and other printing equipment. Analog typographic design iterations to produce a typographic poster layout.
—Full analog production of a poster, print form making, printing in several color-runs, quality control, presentation.
Fees and deadlines
CHF 1750, until February 12, 2024
CHF 1850, until May 6, 2024
CHF 1950, after May 6, upon availability
The course fee includes twelve fully-coached workshop days, plus all workshop materials (However, individual travel cost, meals and accommodations are not included).
Accommodations
The workshop will take place in Näfels, Switzerland (Mühlhäusern 2, 8752 Näfels). This is straight in the Swiss Alps. Accommodation is on the participants own expense. It makes most sense to find something directly in the town of Näfels or Mollis (just across the river), since we begin quite early in the morning and on some evenings we might work a little longer.
We provide a list of hotels to help participants to find a place to stay. Please look into the list and secure an accommodation timely.
Language
Due to our broad field of international participants, all the workshops will be held in English.
Typographic Disillusion II
Stop believing in the illusion of bad typography! For 2024, Typographic Printing Program breaks the typographic hallucination, daydreaming and misinformation and brings you the full analog phantasma and disillusion.
Typographic Printing Program in Switzerland with Dafi Kühne is an all-round 2-week intensive summer program in Switzerland for international graphic design enthusiasts. The workshop’s goal is to bridge the gap between analog design and production tools and professional contemporary typographic posters. The participants will go through a number of analog tasks to experience the layout qualities of simple type-only layouts. All the experiments and layout exercises will be realized with traditional letterpress printing presses and physical type. Through this very slow but accurate analog process, the participants will learn to put emphasis on concept and micro typography.
This program is a great opportunity for the participants to see and learn first-hand from one of the few internationally renowned contemporary letterpress poster designers.
After a rigorous design process, the participants will each produce a letterpress printed typographic poster printed with a variety of production tools like physical type (wood and metal type), chipboard, lasercut mdf, linoleum, hand-cast Ludlow type slugs, and many more… Every aspect of the design process that is taught and intensely trained with the tutors in the analog way will be easy to translate to the contemporary design practice for the participants’ future career.
Schedule
We offer 2 summer sessions in 2024 (I. and II.). Both sessions will have a similar program schedule, though guest lectures and instructors may vary. Get in is on a Sunday evening and wrap-up is two weeks later on a Saturday around noon. The program consists of a total of 12 fully coached workshop days. Each day, we begin 9.00am and regularly work until 6.30pm, with a 1-hour lunch break and some shorter breaks throughout the day. The intense workshop is meant to use the time as efficient as possible and give you the best typographic intense class we can offer. Loaded with as much educational information as we could—having as much fun as possible.
See this provisional schedule for Session II.
Target group
The sessions target graphic design enthusiasts and type nerds of any level and experience as well as letterpress printers with a strong interest in contemporary poster design. Participants of any entry level are welcome, as long as they are motivated and willing to work intensely. We work long days and want to give the participants the full load of typographic-poster-design-fun.
Learning goals
—Conceptual typographic design work, analysis and discussion of poster layout sketches: over the course of the 13 workshop days, we intensely work on typographic concept sketches and analog iterations to give the participants a vocabulary to approach future design projects.
—Critical engagement with content: the participants discuss and find a perfect balance between words, layout and message that we call semantic typography.
—Type theory: throughout the workshop, we will introduce and discuss the theory and history of type and work though +-50 theory sheets packed with insights and background information on the good use of type.
—Manual typesetting, kerning, linespacing, rags. Handling of letterpress proofing presses and other printing equipment. Analog typographic design iterations to produce a typographic poster layout.
—Full analog production of a poster, print form making, printing in several color-runs, quality control, presentation.
Fees and deadlines
CHF 1750, until February 12, 2024
CHF 1850, until May 6, 2024
CHF 1950, after May 6, upon availability
The course fee includes twelve fully-coached workshop days, plus all workshop materials (However, individual travel cost, meals and accommodations are not included).
Accommodations
The workshop will take place in Näfels, Switzerland (Mühlhäusern 2, 8752 Näfels). This is straight in the Swiss Alps. Accommodation is on the participants own expense. It makes most sense to find something directly in the town of Näfels or Mollis (just across the river), since we begin quite early in the morning and on some evenings we might work a little longer.
We provide a list of hotels to help participants to find a place to stay. Please look into the list and secure an accommodation timely.
Language
Due to our broad field of international participants, all the workshops will be held in English.