Lee was described as a “cross-generational talent” and outstanding print production consultant, involved with some of the world’s most beautiful books and catalogues.

Notable clients included Mobil, IBM, Apple, Yale University Press, D&AD, Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, and Four Corners Books.

Born in Horsforth, Yorkshire, Lee initially studied as an accountant with Peat Marwick McLintock (now KPMG).

However, accountancy’s loss was print’s gain – having decided upon a change of vocation he enrolled to study print management at the London College of Printing.

This was followed by an internship at Westerham Press, where while still in his twenties he was given the job of laying out a newly-built press.

After a subsequent spell in design and advertising he returned to Westerham Press as managing director, where in 1975 he met his wife-to-be Susi, who was working as a senior designer for Omnific Studios, one of Westerham’s clients.

In 1979, Lee became a partner at Omnific, together with Derek Birdsall and Alan Kitching. It was Lee who ensured that excellence in design was matched with excellence in print, which became his trademark.

When Birdsall became a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art in the late 1980s, he invited Lee and Kitching to join him, teaching part-time.

Richard Smith, director at cross-media design consultancy Jannuzzi Smith, first met Lee when he studied at the RCA.

He said: “A generation of RCA designers were consequently inspired by Martin’s print wisdom, insight and mentorship, including the founders of Graphic Thought Facility, Jannuzzi Smith and GBH, who all had long-term collaborations with Martin, who worked under the banner of Martin Lee Associates from 2001.”

Smith said that Lee’s experience working closely with both designers and printers meant he was perfectly placed to produce works that combined excellence in each discipline.

“His acuity and curiosity enabled him to quickly master new skills and processes as the industry moved from the analogue to the digital,” Smith added.

“Martin’s expertise and depth of knowledge were amongst the finest in the print industry and his eye was second to none. I always said that any job he print managed was 25% better than it otherwise might have been, but I was being stingy.

“He helped bridge the traditional world of print with the evolving digital one and worked until only a few years ago, into his eighties (though he hid it well). He was a great mentor and a true friend.”

Jane Hyne, production manager at the National Gallery Company, said Lee had been both a mentor and friend.

“For me, Martin was someone I was in awe of when I was younger seeing some of the publications he looked after over the years, and then I was lucky enough to be introduced properly by a mutual friend.

“At first, I would say that he became a sort of mentor that I could ask questions of and then over the years we became good friends. I used to pop over to his studio sometimes and we would head out and have lunch and we often spent the whole afternoon just catching up about projects and experiences.

“I will miss Martin a lot and especially the many hours of catching up and laughing about various experiences.”

Lee died on 30 January from pneumonia.

He had worked until the age of 81, when he was treated with radiotherapy for throat cancer. Although he had planned to return to work the treatment triggered dementia.

He is survived by his wife Susi; son Anthony; daughter Louise, son-in-law Olly and their children Sebastian and Margot; daughter Alexandra, son-in-law Edward and their children Fearne and Poppy.

There will be a small service at the Church of Saint John the Baptist, Hosey Hill, Crowsnest, Westerham TN16 1TB on Friday 21 March, at 2.30pm.

Printweek would like to thank Richard Smith for his input for this tribute.