At only 17 years old, Alfonso Ferrer was recognised as the top printer, a skill he acquired at the Taller Escuela de Formación Profesional, (now the Integrated Vocational Training Centre) Virgen de Candelaria, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. His talent lay in meticulously arranging individual typesetting in the composer, turning printing into an art of assembling letters by hand to create text.
His wife, Ángeles Tavío Arvelo, proudly recounts his story, which unfortunately was erased by Alzheimer’s.
Known as ‘Ferrer’ in Tacoronte, where he resided for 60 years, his full name is Viviano Alfonso Ángel Ignacio Ferrer Llanos.
Initially, the printing trade came as a twist of fate. His siblings, both bankers, expected him to follow suit, but his handwriting style disqualified him from banking, leading him to venture into printing.
Following working at prestigious print shops in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, he eventually became a manager at a noted print shop in La Laguna. It was here that he met Angelita, who encouraged him to start his own venture. Despite facing challenges and eventually closing the business within a year, they persevered.
After selling most of their equipment, they resettled in Tacoronte with just one manual printing machine. Over the next 55 years, the printing business thrived until health issues forced its closure.
Operating as partners, Ángeles learnt the trade from Alfonso and actively participated in the business’s success.
Their dedication and craftsmanship extended to various printing projects, really showing their passion for the traditional profession.
Despite challenges, they ran their print shop for over half a century, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Alfonso’s creativity and Ángeles’ dedication ensured their success and the admiration of their patrons.
Reflecting on their journey, Ángeles acknowledges the joy they derived from satisfying clients and the pride they felt in their work. Alfonso’s exceptional skills and Ángeles’ unwavering support made them an unbeatable team, a partnership cherished both in business and in life.
Though circumstances led to the closure of their beloved print shop, Ángeles still holds onto the memories of those ink-stained days, a testimony to a life well-lived in the realm of paper and print.
