Earlier this autumn, Rolf commissioned UEL's Fab Pad to design and print the unique signature shirt he wore for his recent 50th Anniversary special at the Albert Hall show, televised by BBC1 on 6th December.

Following the huge success of the shirt, which features Rolf's name repeated hundreds of times across the fabric, Rolf has become interested in digital printing and particularly how to produce repeating patterns from his drawn designs. Fab Pad technical specialist Mike Riches has been giving him advice and guidance, and this morning, was delighted to meet him in person and provide a tutorial in Photoshop and textile design techniques.

Rolf Harris said: "I've been an artist for over 40 years, but I've never used a set-up like this before - the technology here is amazing and I am delighted with the results. I know a lot of other artists would agree. I want to congratulate Mike and the whole team on an excellent job and a great facility."

Mike Riches said: "There's not much you can teach an artist like Rolf - he immediately saw how this technology could enhance his work, and I am happy to be able to help him on some of the technical aspects."

Rob Moss, manager of the Knowledge Dock, part of UEL's Thames Gateway Technology Centre, which includes the Fab Pad and Product Design Lab, said: "It is a real privilege to work with such a high-profile artist and we look forward to collaborating with Rolf on future projects. Fab Pad and PDL were launched at the beginning of the year to provide local businesses, entrepreneurs and designers with cutting-edge technology at affordable prices. There has already been fantastic demand - not just from local companies but from international designers, and we are really proud that artists like Rolf are finding the facilities so useful."

The Fab Pad, launched in January 2003, comprises 14 dedicated design workstations networked to two large (1.5 m across) and futuristic-looking printers, the Mimaki TX2-1600 Fabric Printer and the Hewlett Packard Designjet 5000. These provide top-quality colour reproduction on materials as diverse as silk, cotton, velvet, fine art paper, aquarella and canvas. More than 35 local businesses, and many artists and designers are already using the services on offer, including the team that put together Alexander McQueen's Paris show this autumn.

Rolf Harris also met staff and students of UEL's School of Architecture and the Visual Arts. Grace Dwase (22) from Covelees Wall, Beckton, is in the final year of her BA (Hons) degree in Textile Design and Surface Decoration, and uses Fab Pad to design and print her original designs for duvets and linen with repeating architectural motifs.

Grace said: "It was amazing meeting Rolf Harris and I've always been a great fan of his TV programmes. I love his approach to art - he makes difficult work look easy and demystifies the whole process. He has opened a lot of people's eyes to art and I find his work a real inspiration."

Fab Pad is part-funded by the European Union and the London Development Agency, and offers discounted rates to local businesses. Adela Sharpe, Design Manager at Rowena Bristow Ltd, an international textile design studio said: "Much of our product range is sold abroad and our customers are very demanding. We have been working with the Fab Pad for several months now, and have been very impressed with the standard, good value and fast service."