A small gathering of former members of the Cape Town Association of Printing House Craftsmen recently came together to celebrate not only the camaraderie of years past, but also the remarkable career of one of the industry’s stalwarts: Theo Clark.
Although the Association was dissolved many years ago, its founding credo — to share their knowledge — lives on in members like Clark, who have dedicated a lifetime to both mastering and mentoring in the printing craft.
Clark began his career in 1956 as an apprentice compositor at Hortors in Observatory, Cape Town, passing his trade test with distinction. From the start, he demonstrated a thirst for knowledge that went beyond the apprenticeship: he pursued additional training in letterpress machine minding, Monotype, cost accountancy, estimating, and even retail stationery through correspondence courses with the Stationers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland.
After 13 years of honing his skills at several prominent Cape Town printing houses, Clark moved into management, first at Clyde Printing Works and shortly thereafter helping form Edson-Clyde Press. He later became Technical Director of Disa Printers, guiding it as the group’s colour printing division. In 1981, he became a partner in Pivot Press, later assuming full ownership. Under his leadership, Pivot Press navigated relocations, acquisitions, and integrations, including the merger with Hallmark Press, always maintaining high standards and a commitment to fairness and competence.
Beyond his own career, Clark’s dedication to the next generation of printers is perhaps his most lasting contribution. In 1991, Pivot Press was one of the first companies to indenture a CBMT Sheetfed Lithography Machine Minder apprentice — a move that reflected Clark’s willingness to embrace new training models and his belief in sharing knowledge. His service on the executive of the Association, as Honorary President (twice) and currently Honorary Treasurer, along with his work with the Cape Chamber of Printing SA, further demonstrates a career defined by both achievement and service.
Clark’s journey spans the evolution of printing itself, from hot metal and hand-set type to full-colour production and digital processes, and yet through it all he has remained a craftsman at heart, a mentor by instinct, and a leader by example.
In celebrating Clark, the printing industry is reminded of the value of dedication, lifelong learning, and the quiet, enduring power of sharing knowledge. As the toast at the luncheon said, ‘To Theo Clark: craftsman, leader, mentor, and friend.’
