Lori Ann McCready Assistant Prepress Manager The News Journal New Castle, Del. One year in current position 25 years in the industry

What was your first job in the newspaper business?

My dad owned a small weekly paper for 27 years, and I was interested in the business, so I went to work doing odd jobs and learning about every department.

I have held several positions at The News Journal’s information systems department, graphics department and finally, to my current position as assistant prepress manager.

What do you like most about your job?

The challenge of installing new hardware and software to keep pace with current technology while partnering with each vendor learning to troubleshoot and correct various problems prior to full production.

What do you like least?

Being a total hands-on manager. I found that the paperwork involved becomes more time consuming because I prefer working to help improve and advance our level of expertise to conform to new technology.

What was The Wilmington News Journal’s most recent prepress purchase/installation?

We upgraded our raster image processors to support future computer-to-plate imagers, and installation of new proofing system to provide a more accurate proofs to our customers.

What is the biggest challenge the Wilmington New Journal is facing in prepress?

Working closely with every department in the newspaper to ensure that all future equipment purchases are totally compatible with our existing systems.

What prepress trend are you keeping your eye on?

CTP and investigating all options available to help us to improve the quality of our digital images from in-house photographers and other sources.