Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
At least one Missouri publisher has turned to direct digital printing after experiencing ongoing problems with his web press printer.
Jimmy Sexton, owner and publisher of the Neosho Daily News and Aurora Advertiser, switched both papers to a magazine format in July after considering it for several months.
“No more sleepless nights wondering if the press will break down, or worrying about possible delivery issues,” he told readers in announcing the change. “We are now in control of the entire production of the newspaper, from interviews to writing stories and taking photos, layout and design of the pages, to printing and delivery.
“What a glorious feeling that is!”
Sexton said his production and printing costs had tripled since he purchased the newspapers in 2021. The new format is saving him between $2,700 and $3,000 per month. He leases a Sharp digital printer from Ozark Business Systems in Neosho.
Reader response has been more encouraging than he had hoped for. Here are some of the comments he has received:
“This is the best idea I’ve seen in a very long time. I give it 100,000 votes yes! I am an incredible reader and also a history nut, but very vision impaired. When I picked this paper up I could read it cover to cover. This format is incredibly easy to read. The size of the paper is more in booklet form, so no matter your disability you’re going to be able to hold that in your hand whereas the older paper is harder to hold and you need more room for it.”
“The very first thing I noticed about it was how much easier it is to read; it is so much brighter. Also, the pictures are so good. It is 1,000 percent better! I really can’t imagine anyone not loving it. I actually read more of the paper because it is so much easier to read.”
“What surprised me was opening the mailbox and seeing something different because I’m used to a traditional newspaper. That’s where the nostalgia comes in. Reading your explanation helped me understand why you made the decision, and I think it was the right one. The issue looked clean, the color photos really stood out, and it was easy to hold and read. I may miss unfolding a traditional newspaper, but that’s different from not liking the new format. I really do think you’ve found a practical way to keep the newspaper moving forward, and I’m glad you explained it to your readers.”
“The colors really do pop and it’s easy to hold and read. And if it helps you control costs and gives you more control, plus keeps the publication going, then it’s definitely a win-win.”
Although the transition has been relatively smooth, Sexton said the new format has required the Neosho and Aurora newspapers to make a few practical adjustments. It has also produced some unexpected benefits.
“For example, we learned it’s easier to print our PDFs from a Windows-based computer rather than a Mac,” he said. “Plus, our archiving system has changed for print issues due to the new format and size, and where we place the newspapers at several of our dealers and newsstands have also changed with the new format.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with the support from the community. We’ve also seen an increase in subscriptions and people submitting guest columns, as well as new advertisers. The format change has energized a lot of people and brought a renewed energy to our staff.”
