In "True Print," published by Lars Müller, Dafi Kühne showcases his remarkable talent in printmaking, particularly through his captivating poster designs. Kühne's work is characterized by a bold experimentation with typography, color, and layout, primarily utilizing traditional analogue letterpress techniques alongside modern digital methods. This fusion of old and new allows him to craft dynamic and innovative visual experiences.

The foreword by Rudolf Barmettler highlights Kühne's commitment to steering clear of any retro or handmade aesthetics in his designs. Kühne actively rejects the romanticized notions associated with historical print technologies, focusing instead on exploring the untapped potential of both digital and analogue design. He seeks to redefine the letterpress process by experimenting with materials and techniques that extend beyond conventional metal and wood types.

Identifying himself as a designer rather than merely a printer, Kühne emphasizes that his creative process transcends the physical act of printing. He asserts, "The design and impact of the poster are what truly matter. Few people are aware of the intricacies involved in its creation."

Overcoming Obstacles in Book Production

The journey to produce "True Print" was fraught with challenges. Kühne recounts, "We encountered a significant hurdle at the outset: all the posters were printed as physical copies, necessitating their reproduction into printable files." Fortunately, the Museum für Gestaltung stepped in to provide high-quality photographs of the posters, as they maintain a collection that includes each of Kühne's works.

Initially, the files were in RGB format, which required the lithographer from Lars Müller Publishers to meticulously convert them to CMYK with spot colors. The book features a mix of printing techniques; some sections were produced in standard CMYK, while others incorporated neon pink in place of Magenta or an additional black run for enhanced depth. Certain pages were printed using an impressive eight colors, blending CMYK with four neon spot colors, necessitating careful color separation and proofing by offset printers.

Kühne's Educational Journey and Influence

Dafi Kühne's academic background includes a degree in visual communication from Zurich University of the Arts, which he completed in 2009. Since then, he has dedicated himself to his studio, where he designs and prints a variety of materials, including posters, stationery, brochures, and magazines for diverse fields such as music, art, architecture, theatre, and film. In addition to his design work, Kühne has spent the past six years teaching at various institutions across Europe and the United States, imparting his knowledge and enthusiasm for innovative design practices.