25/05/2026
We are sorry to inform you that our last surviving cofounder, mentor and dear friend, Michel Caza died on Saturday at 5:30pm.
It is difficult to imagine our community without his voice, his presence and his unmistakable enthusiasm for everything to do with print. Michel passed away after 91 years of a life he loved and the spirit with which he lived his life will stay with us for many years to come.
Michel’s journey in print began when he was just 19, when he fell in love with the unique mix of craft and technology that defines screen printing. From those early days, he was never content with “good enough”. He wanted sharper detail, richer colour, greater consistency and he was willing to experiment, invent and challenge conventional wisdom to get there.
In 1962, he founded his company and, in the same year, helped to found FESPA, setting in motion a story that would touch thousands of printers across the globe. Many of us first met Michel at a conference or if we were lucky beside a press, or over a late‑night conversation after a long day at a show.
He loved sharing stories of the artists he had worked with, the jobs that seemed impossible until the very last moment, and the technical breakthroughs that made a big difference. He could move effortlessly from discussing mesh counts and inks to talking about art, culture and the future of our industry, always with the same intensity and curiosity.
As a leader of FESPA and of our wider community, Michel believed that the best way to strengthen the industry was to bring people together and share knowledge openly. During his years as FESPA President and beyond, he was a constant presence at events, seminars and workshops, offering advice, asking hard questions and encouraging others to push beyond their comfort zones. He never stopped learning, and he never stopped teaching.
For many of us, Michel was the person who took the time to look at our work, offer a practical suggestion, or simply say, “You can do better – and I’ll show you how.” That combination of high standards and genuine care left a deep impression on everyone he mentored. He delighted in seeing others succeed, and he celebrated the achievements of fellow printers as if they were his own.
As we remember Michel today, we honour not only a pioneer of screen and digital printing, but a man who gave so much of himself to others. We will miss his laughter, his stories, his honesty and his boundless passion for our craft.
The best way we can pay tribute to him is to keep that passion alive: to keep experimenting, keep improving, keep sharing, and keep believing in the future of print as he did.
Thank you, Michel, for everything you made possible.
