NEWS RELEASES

BETHLEHEM, PA — Michael Vasilantone, the founder of Vastex International, died peacefully in his home on December 24, 2025 at the age of 95.

"We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our founder," said Mark Vasilantone, son and president of the company. "My dad's brilliance, passion, and dedication to new machinery designs and quality construction were, and still are, the heart and soul of Vastex. He made an indelible mark not just on our company, but on the entire garment-printing industry here and around the world."

A gifted engineer, Vasilantone filed 14 patents including the dual rotary printing press (in which the pallets and print heads both rotate), the four-way stretch hold down for printing jackets and dual layer fabrics, the first small-product electric infrared dryer, the air recirculation system for dryers, a patented belt alignment/tracking device, and a mechanical squeegee.

"My father revolutionized screen printing as we know it, combining his talents as a born inventor with his experience as a screen printer, improving the effectiveness of equipment initially for his own screen printing business, but ultimately for the entire industry."

Together with his wife Fannie, Vasilantone founded Vastex International in 1960 to develop, manufacture and market machinery that is now sold in 50 countries. The couple retired in 1999, turning ownership of the company to their son, Mark Vasilantone.

Michael Vasilantone is survived by his wife, three children, 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In addition to being a gifted engineer, Michael Vasilantone was an accomplished artist, as seen in this 1955 self-portrait.