What is your favorite paper and why?
I print a lot of posters myself, screen printed in a small edition. By printing with water-based inks, thin paper may curl quickly, so I use mostly thicker paper like for example 200-300 g/m2. Most of the posters are printed to sell as a merchandise product, therefore the haptic and feel is also an important point. I mostly use uncoated natural papers. I like classics like Munken or Daunendruck papers.

Could you give an example of a design you created where paper played a special or particularly functional role?
For the Elmo Delmo poster series the budget was very low. That’s why I opt for one-color printing. By using colored papers, many color combinations are possible. So you can create a lot of new fresh imagery and everything still works fine within the series.

Elmo Delmo poster for the band Ducktails
Paper: Lenza Color, 160 g/m2, flamingo pink, 45x64cm

Elmo Delmo poster for the band Telescopes
Paper: Munken print white, 160 g/m2, 45x64cm

Elmo Delmo poster for the band Crocodiles
Paper: Kaskad, 160 g/m2, cream, 45x64cm

How important is the choice of paper in your designs? Do you spend a lot of time choosing the paper?
Selecting the right paper is very important to me. Of course I have a selection of papers that I like, that I know that work well in print, but I am always on the lookout for new papers. To show the differences of the papers and to choose a suitable one is important to its customers.

Could you mention a designer whose paper choice appeals to you?
I like the way Lukas Zimmermann designed his posters with paper. He prints on meat-paper, wallpaper, tablecloths. He is a collector and discoverer of papers in everyday life.

Julianna Barwick poster for Ballroom Marfa
Paper: Daunendruck 300 g/m2, 50x70cm

Is there something missing in the current range of available paper?
Here in Switzerland, many papers that I like are not available. The range of beautiful colored papers is limited, especially the thicker kinds. I really like the French Paper from USA, I wish I could order these here in Switzerland/Europe.

What is your biggest frustration in the field of paper?
When designing a record cover for a band, in the production of the pressing, they have mostly only one paper available. I wish they had a wider range of papers to choose from. Ah yes, and an other frustration is the packaging of the posters for traveling exhibitions, the paper is usually too heavy. But this is of course only half as bad.

Julia Holter poster at Palace St.Gallen
Paper: Munken print white, 200 g/m2, 50x70cm

Vintage Gant poster for Treppenhaus Rorschach
Paper: Daunendruck 200 g/m2, 50x70cm

Is it difficult or easy for designers in your country to find information on paper, paper samples and/or paper collections?
We have a few good paper suppliers here, of which I have all paper samples. It’s actually quite easy; when you order a paper, you will receive it the next day.

How do you see the future of paper?
The recycled papers are becoming more popular. I think and I hope that there is a future.

Interview by De Monsterkamer with Ronny Hunger.