David Savastano, Editor07.18.22
For more than 23 years, Dave Savastano has covered the ink industry as Ink World editor, and his reporting has been essential reading for the industry, earning him the trust of the industry.
Savastano has been much more than just a writer though; his dedication to the industry, whether it is collaborating with NAPIM and other trade associations or telling the story of the people in the industry, has helped bring important messages to the community. His ability to get to the heart of the story is special.
Savastano’s route to the ink industry was unique. After earning his master’s degree from Marquette University, he spent 12 years as an award-winning editor of community newspapers in northern New Jersey. He was looking for a new opportunity, and he found that when he joined Rodman Media as editor of Ink World magazine in 1998.
“I really didn’t know much about printing ink,” Savastano said. “I read a few back issues of Ink World, and went into the Rodman office to interview with Dale Pritchett, Ink World’s publisher. I was dressed in a suit, and here’s Dale, in a polo shirt and shorts. I pretty quickly figured that it was the perfect place for me.”
Not knowing a whole lot about ink, Savastano immediately threw his efforts and energy into the magazine as well as the ink industry. He took the NPIRI Summer Course at Lehigh University to give himself some background into the makings of ink. Meanwhile, he traveled throughout North America, Europe and Asia to meet with industry leaders, attend conferences and tour plants.
Savastano pointed to numerous highlights along the way.
“Thinking back about highlights, meeting so many people in the industry over the years has to rank right up there,” said Savastano. “Dale Pritchett has been a tremendous influence to me, and helped me learn about the ink industry. Over the years, meeting so many of the iconic figures in the industry – Harvey Brice, Cal Sutphin, Howard Flint, Rick Clendenning, Ed Barr, Bob Gans, Lisa Fine, George Fuchs and too many others to mention – is special, and the fact that they were always friendly and helpful shows what the ink industry is about.
“As for other highlights, the first drupa I attended back in 2000 was eye opening,” he added. “The sheer size of it was hard to comprehend, but these shows over the years gave me a good idea of where the industry was heading.”
Outside of work, Savastano and his wife Cindy enjoy time with their sons, Dylan and Derek, as well as travel and concerts.
Savastano said that receiving the Pioneer Award is the highlight of his career,
“Receiving the Pioneer Award is really special,” Savastano said. “I am still amazed that I received it. I probably have written more than 100 features on Pioneer Award honorees over the years, and it’s always been interesting to me to learn about how these leaders ended up in the ink industry. I’m surprised and very humbled that my name is on that list now.”
Savastano has been much more than just a writer though; his dedication to the industry, whether it is collaborating with NAPIM and other trade associations or telling the story of the people in the industry, has helped bring important messages to the community. His ability to get to the heart of the story is special.
Savastano’s route to the ink industry was unique. After earning his master’s degree from Marquette University, he spent 12 years as an award-winning editor of community newspapers in northern New Jersey. He was looking for a new opportunity, and he found that when he joined Rodman Media as editor of Ink World magazine in 1998.
“I really didn’t know much about printing ink,” Savastano said. “I read a few back issues of Ink World, and went into the Rodman office to interview with Dale Pritchett, Ink World’s publisher. I was dressed in a suit, and here’s Dale, in a polo shirt and shorts. I pretty quickly figured that it was the perfect place for me.”
Not knowing a whole lot about ink, Savastano immediately threw his efforts and energy into the magazine as well as the ink industry. He took the NPIRI Summer Course at Lehigh University to give himself some background into the makings of ink. Meanwhile, he traveled throughout North America, Europe and Asia to meet with industry leaders, attend conferences and tour plants.
Savastano pointed to numerous highlights along the way.
“Thinking back about highlights, meeting so many people in the industry over the years has to rank right up there,” said Savastano. “Dale Pritchett has been a tremendous influence to me, and helped me learn about the ink industry. Over the years, meeting so many of the iconic figures in the industry – Harvey Brice, Cal Sutphin, Howard Flint, Rick Clendenning, Ed Barr, Bob Gans, Lisa Fine, George Fuchs and too many others to mention – is special, and the fact that they were always friendly and helpful shows what the ink industry is about.
“As for other highlights, the first drupa I attended back in 2000 was eye opening,” he added. “The sheer size of it was hard to comprehend, but these shows over the years gave me a good idea of where the industry was heading.”
Outside of work, Savastano and his wife Cindy enjoy time with their sons, Dylan and Derek, as well as travel and concerts.
Savastano said that receiving the Pioneer Award is the highlight of his career,
“Receiving the Pioneer Award is really special,” Savastano said. “I am still amazed that I received it. I probably have written more than 100 features on Pioneer Award honorees over the years, and it’s always been interesting to me to learn about how these leaders ended up in the ink industry. I’m surprised and very humbled that my name is on that list now.”