Ventures
Busag is actively investing in companies, ventures, and real estate projects domestically and abroad.
Photography
Busag is driven by a genuine passion for photography, poster art, and cutting-edge digital printing.
Technology
Busag invests in cutting-edge technologies, encompassing artificial intelligence and humanoids.
R&D
R&D has deep roots at Busaga long tradition at Busag—we pioneered the “Norm Test” for printing.
Peter Gygax
Former Chairman & CEO (1968-2024)
Educated in Switzerland and at London’s University of the Arts, our CEO has led companies in both the United States and Switzerland.
In 1972, Peter Gygax teamed up with artist Dick Bruna and designer Pieter Brattinga to launch Mercis GmbH. They build a comprehensive pictorial archive, assigning precise colour references to every Bruna illustration and securing legal registration to block unauthorized or inaccurate reproductions. As General Managing Partner and co-owner, Gygax drove Mercis’ licensing expansion across Asia—especially in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan.
Our history
1887
Max Girardet, the well-known copper engraver, introduced the cliché method in Bern according to the new principles in collaboration with a small team of experts from Paris.
1890
The company was taken over by Dr. Hans Balmer.
1899
Production of the first three- and four-color etchings.
1917
Dr. Balmer merges with F. Schwitter to form Balmer & Schwitter AG “Busag”.
1923
Establishment of the new Busag under the new management of A. F. Gygax, Bern.
1929
Integration of photolithography, electroplating and stereotyping.
1942
Opening of a sales office in Zurich.
1957
Founding of Busag AG Zurich. First business address at Othmarstrasse in 8008 Zurich.
1963
Relocation to Forchstrasse 84 in 8032 Zurich.
1978
Introduction of IT throughout the entire administration.
1990
Purchase of atelier beer AG, Forch, with continued production under in-house management.
1991
Participation in ERC, Maur, a specialist company for digital template production.
Introduction of the DTP department with gradual expansion towards digital and networked workflow processes.
1995
Founding of Drucklade AG Zurich for digital printing.
1997
Sale of Busag AG PreMedia in Niederwangen to Elgra AG, Bern. Takeover of the staff and continued production.
The Beginnings
In 1887, Max Girardet introduced the clïché method to Switzerland, pioneering a technique that attracted several prominent artists. His collaboration with Paul Klee now resides in the Museum of Modern Art’s collection in New York City, showcasing fine examples of German Expressionist prints.
Our Founder
In 1923, Fred Gygax incorporated Busag as a Swiss corporation. As the business grew, he traveled extensively, making numerous trips to the United States. One U.S. newspaper reported on his visit:
Headquarters
Busag was initially housed in a Balmweg building in Bern. As production and services expanded, the space proved insufficient, prompting a move to a larger plant on Monbijoustrasse. Continued growth later led Busag to construct a brand‑new facility in Niederwangen, on Bern’s outskirts toward Fribourg. Completed in 1967—just before the 1970s oil shock and global recession—the plant forced Busag to reinvent itself. Management quickly recognized that emerging technologies could radically overhaul production processes.
Graphic Arts
Until the late 1970s, the graphic‑arts industry sat at the crossroads of photography, chemistry, and physics. Over the next two decades, it migrated to the intersection of graphic arts and information technology.
Digitalization
SSure thing, Scientist. Here’s a concise, polished rewrite:
Beginning in the late 1970s, digital workflows started reshaping administrative and production tasks. By the mid‑1990s, our plants looked entirely different: Zurich’s operations were fully digitized, and Niederwangen’s facilities had undergone a dramatic overhaul. This digital shift moved the pre‑press and pre‑media markets primarily to Zurich and Geneva, prompting us to divest the Bern assets and concentrate our core activities on the Zurich market.
The reproduction workflow was revolutionized by the advent of desktop publishing. Early picture scanning still relied on mainframes—Digital Equipment (DEC) systems—and bespoke hardware from firms like PDI, Crossfield, and Hell. Once the software era arrived, Busag adopted tools such as QuarkXPress, Cartouche, and Photoshop.
Our Partners
We have and continue to work with amazing business partners.
Design: Pieter Brattinga
Printing: steendrukkerij de Jong & Co
Graphic Arts: Mercis BV
Recent Posts
Some thought provoking pieces from our Bulletin.
The Paradox of Perfection: How Technological Progress Reshapes Authenticity in Graphic Arts and Beyond
The technological advances in imaging have profound implications for how work can and is been done in the graphic arts industry. While the computer-generated results are increasingly similar to real photographs, or even undistinguishable, the technologies possibilities raise many issues, including ethical.
Our Favorite Cameras: Sinar, Leica & Hasselblad
Our preferred photographic tools are the legendary cameras crafted by Sinar, Leica, and Hasselblad. For more routine commercial assignments we also rely on Canon and Nikon. When it comes to poster production, nothing rivals a Sinar—its design expressly accommodates the…