New technology gives readers a better newspaper

More than a year after the installation of a $3 million press and several months into a new printing process, Southeast Missourian readers are receiving a high-quality newspaper produced with state-of-the-art technology.

Installation of a Dauphin Graphic Machines 430 press, nicknamed "Big Blue," began in December 2002. The press became operational in February 2003, and since then, the newspaper's press crew has had time to work the kinks out of the system.

"After a year, Big Blue is doing everything we expected it to do. Great color. Fast. Consistently," said Jon Rust, co-president of Rust Communications, the company that owns the Southeast Missourian.

Rust said the new press had its share of growing pains, especially in hitting delivery times the first couple months.

Part of the problem was caused by the wrong electrical wiring being installed by a private firm, which caused the press motor to surge, breaking the paper feed on a regular basis.

"When a press is churning out 35,000 newspapers an hour, these paper breaks cause havoc and thus delays. For a while that was a nightmare," Rust said. "Now 'Big Blue' is working like a dream, thanks to the technical corrections and a great staff led by new production manager Steve Nichols."

Readers now enjoy more color throughout the newspaper, including the weather section on page 2A, and crisper photos. The technology has also opened up new options for businesses advertising in the newspaper.

Mary Caldwell, marketing coordinator for Hutson Fine Furniture, said she's noticed a big difference in advertisements.

"There definitely been an improvement in quality, especially in color," Caldwell said. "It's vital to us that the color be of good quality, and the Missourian has made great strides in that area."

Barbara Thompson, vice president of marketing and public relations with the Roberts Group, the company that handles advertising for St. Francis Medical Center, said the new press has allowed the company to run a weekly health page in full color.

"It makes it more professional and draws the reader in," Thompson said. "We're really excited about it."

The addition of computer-to-plate (CTP) technology to the printing process in late 2003 elevated the press' imaging technology to the top in the industry.

"Few newspapers our size in the country use CTP. In printer's terms, it gives us an 'original dot' on the press, which produces better color and crisper printing," Rust said. "That means better ads for our advertisers, and clearer and more dynamic photographs for our readers."

The CTP process has eliminated several steps in the printing process. According to Nichols, CTP has also taken out the human element and therefore the potential for mistakes in other parts of the printing process.

"Our color capability is far more than what the old was, and the quality has improved as well," Nichols said. "We're finally seeing a turn-around in waste."

The faster press, combined with the new CTP device, also means time is gained in the production process.

"Of course, our circulation department wants the time on the back-end to get the papers out to readers even earlier in the morning," Rust said. "The news department wants the time for later deadlines to make sure as much late-breaking news makes it in the newspaper."

"For the most part we're splitting the difference, trying to give more to our readers in both ways," he said.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, ext. 128