Jill Roth was one of the first women to serve as editor of a graphic arts magazine. She joined American Printer magazine in 1970 as an editorial assistant. One of her jobs was to edit my monthly column on phototypesetting.

Founded in 1881, Inland Printer was the first magazine for the American printing industry. When Inland Printer acquired The American Printer in 1958, the combined magazine became The American Printer and Lithographer, then owned by Maclean Hunter.  In 1982, it was acquired by Penton Publishing and became American Printer. It ceased publication in 2011. 

Jill advanced to editor in 1979 when Jack Homer left to join Canadian Printer as editor. She and I created Electronic Printing & Publishing (EP&P) for Maclean Hunter. 

She advanced to editorial director, overseeing Graphic Arts Product News, AP, and EP&P. She hired Katherien O’Brien in 2000 as editor for AP.

An award she received in 2002 said this about her: “With a quick wit and keen insight, Jill has, for many years, entertained, informed, and educated readers about topics as diverse as the industry itself. Her no-nonsense approach and passion for knowledge and effective communication have made listening and learning irresistible.”

She was very involved in industry associations and interest groups. She served on the Digital Printing Advisory Committee and the Electronic Prepress Section of PIA (Printing Industries of America) Advisory Council. She also was on the Vuepoint Advisory Board and a member of the National Association of Printing Leadership’s (NAPL) Soderstrom Society, an honorary organization whose members are dedicated to serving the printing industry. Roth received additional industry recognition when she garnered the Cary Award from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), an award presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the development or application of digital media in graphic communications.

She was a supporter of industry research and attended all meetings of GAMIS (Graphic Arts Marketing Information Service).

She retired in 2002 and moved to Sarasota, Fla., with her mother. She kept busy with writing projects for local organizations.

Let us remember Jill Roth.

  

Jill Roth with Neil Richard, then in charge of market research at Kodak.

Jill with Frank Romano, when he emceed a party in her honor in 2001.

Further details on Jill’s passing are forthcoming. If any of our readers know any of her relatives or acquaintances, please contact Lou Laurent at [email protected].