Matthews-Paul was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in January and given just a few months to live. She died on 23 November, aged 68.

She had worked in the industry over the past three decades as a journalist, editor and consultant, contributing articles to many international publications including PrintWeek. She hosted numerous technical panel discussions at Fespa exhibitions over the years, and was known as ‘Mrs Inkjet’ for her expertise in the field.

She was also a renowned photographer.

Her son, James Matthews-Paul, also works in the industry and curated the content programme at the recent Ipex exhibition.

He said: “Sophie’s extraordinary charm and intellect left an indelible mark on the lives, careers and hearts of everyone she knew. A potent and effusive life force has gone from the world, but I know she would want each of her friends and colleagues to remember her inimitable spirit with a smile.

“Her death was exactly as she wished: quietly, at home, with no fuss.” 

At Ipex, François Martin the former worldwide head of marketing at HP’s graphic arts business, paid tribute to the help he had been given by Matthews-Paul over the years and dedicated his keynote presentation to her.

“She gave me a lot of advice and spent a lot of time with me in my early days at HP and I want to thank her for all that she did for me,” he said.

She was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the InPrint industrial printing show held earlier this month in Munich.

After the news of her death was announced, tributes poured in on social media including LinkedIn. 

James Matthews-Paul thanked close friends, St Michael's Hospice, Marie Curie and Macmillan for their support and care over the past months.

Arrangements are being made to hold a memorial service, with further information to follow in due course.