The printing industry has paid tribute to Doug Churchill, a printing industry veteran whose career spanned more than six decades and significantly influenced the sector.

Churchill began his career at just 15 years old, working as an apprentice camera operator at Waldron Engraving in Surry Hills.

In 1957, he co-founded Dy-Tone, a photo platemaking business, with his lifelong friend and business partner Kevin Burns, which was later sold to Hartland & Hyde.

Churchill’s expertise and leadership saw him take on the role of general manager at ACP Polychrome.

In 1974, he partnered with Alex Lawrence to purchase A.E. Hudson, a printing plate graining business, establishing Sydney operations in Mortlake. As the business expanded, it relocated to Newtown in 1984 and later to purpose-renovated premises in Lidcombe in 1998.

Although Churchill transitioned into semi-retirement, his business continued to thrive through a series of acquisitions, culminating in its sale in 2007 to GBC. The company would later become part of Smartech, following further sales involving Neopost/Quadient in France.

Beyond his business achievements, Churchill was deeply committed to the advancement of the industry.

He was the inaugural president of the NSW division of the then-newly established Lithographic Institute of Australia (LIA) and a dedicated member of the Graphic Arts Merchants Association of Australia, now known as Visual Connections.

His vision and advocacy played a vital role in bringing the PacPrint exhibition under the shared stewardship of the merchants and the Printing Industries Association of Australia (now the Visual Media Association), shaping it into one of the industry’s premier events.

Churchill is survived by his wife Hazel, sons Grant and Todd, three grandsons, and one great-grandson.  

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