David Savastano, Editor05.20.19
For nearly 50 years, Les Watkins has been virtually everywhere in the world of inks. From his start with Universal Printing Ink in the UK, then on to Canadian Fine Color in Canada, Capitol Printing Ink, Graphic Fine Color, Handschy and Flint Ink in the US, Flint Ink in Australia and Sun Chemical and Zeller+Gmelin back in the US, Watkins has been in the forefront of countless ink developments. Retiring from the ink industry in 2015, Watkins now works with US Polymers/Accurez, and reflects on the changes he has seen over the years.
“In my early years, we made a ‘base’ ink which every pressman modified with his own ‘secret sauce,’” Watkins recalled. “There was also a five-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman pressman.
“That all went away in the 1970s and we as ink makers had to develop inks that did a better job on newer and faster equipment with less skilled operators,” he added. “A profound change in thought process took place that spurred some of the best ink development ever.”
Watkins credits his father with getting him into the ink industry.
“My father was a printing press engineer and I spent a lot of weekends in manufacturing and printing plants,” he said. “When I went to college, my major was chemistry, and during a summer job at a folding carton plant, the technical service guy from a major UK ink company suggested I look at ink as a career after I graduated - which I did and still am!”
After college, Watkins joined Universal Printing Ink in the UK. Watkins was a pioneer in energy curable inks and vehicle systems, which he helped develop during his 15 years at Canadian Fine Color.
In 1983, he moved to the US and joined Capitol Printing Ink. Watkins joined Graphic Fine Color in 1986, then headed to Handschy Industries, before joining Flint Ink in 1997; during his time at Flint Ink, Watkins headed to Australia. In 2002, he moved to Sun Chemical, and five years later, he headed to Zeller+Gmelin Printing Inks, where he retired as global technical coordinator.
Watkins said he is honored to receive the Pioneer Award.
“It is truly appreciated and I am proud to receive this award along with the class of 2019,” he added. “All are deserving winners.”
“In my early years, we made a ‘base’ ink which every pressman modified with his own ‘secret sauce,’” Watkins recalled. “There was also a five-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman pressman.
“That all went away in the 1970s and we as ink makers had to develop inks that did a better job on newer and faster equipment with less skilled operators,” he added. “A profound change in thought process took place that spurred some of the best ink development ever.”
Watkins credits his father with getting him into the ink industry.
“My father was a printing press engineer and I spent a lot of weekends in manufacturing and printing plants,” he said. “When I went to college, my major was chemistry, and during a summer job at a folding carton plant, the technical service guy from a major UK ink company suggested I look at ink as a career after I graduated - which I did and still am!”
After college, Watkins joined Universal Printing Ink in the UK. Watkins was a pioneer in energy curable inks and vehicle systems, which he helped develop during his 15 years at Canadian Fine Color.
In 1983, he moved to the US and joined Capitol Printing Ink. Watkins joined Graphic Fine Color in 1986, then headed to Handschy Industries, before joining Flint Ink in 1997; during his time at Flint Ink, Watkins headed to Australia. In 2002, he moved to Sun Chemical, and five years later, he headed to Zeller+Gmelin Printing Inks, where he retired as global technical coordinator.
Watkins said he is honored to receive the Pioneer Award.
“It is truly appreciated and I am proud to receive this award along with the class of 2019,” he added. “All are deserving winners.”