Pressing ahead: Newspaper gains more color capability

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

photo Workers with Pressline Services begin taking apart the Chattanooga Times Free Press's old printing press Monday during the first day of disassembly.
photo Joe Russell from Pittsburg, Pa., begins taking apart the Chattanooga Times Free Press's old printing press Monday during the first day of disassembly.

Times Free Press readers will see significant changes in how their newspapers look today. Color returns to all section fronts and back pages as the paper continues a $6 million conversion to a new offset printing press.

On Monday, crews began dismantling the Flexographic press that has printed the newspaper since 1999. This work represents the final phase of the new press installation.

Gary Webb, pressroom manager, said removing the old press is expected to take about a month. When the Flexo equipment is gone, crews will begin installation of the second half of the new offset press, which should be completed in June.

"Trying to keep the Flexo running while installing the offset system and getting it running has been extraordinarily complex and definitely a challenge," Webb said.

The paper will have more color capability once the new press is operational, Editor Alison Gerber said.

"We appreciate the patience our readers have shown as we work on these improvements," she said.