What was your first job in the newspaper business?

I was an apprentice pressman at the Cherryhill Suburban in Cherryhill, N.J., back around 1976. That was when 4-color printing in newspapers was just getting started. What you mostly saw back then was spot color, and so I thought that the whole idea of putting the 4-color plates together to make any color that you wanted was pretty neat. I guess that’s what got me hooked on newspapers and printing.

What do you like most about your job?

In this job, it’s the people that I work with. The production department at The Salinas Californian really cares about the quality of our product, and they really care about each other. They’re a great bunch of people. Plus, I get to run a printing press - how can you beat that?

What do you like least?

The pressure of deadlines can be difficult, as can coordinating with all the different departments to try and meet those deadlines. We produce a lot of non-daily products and print a lot of commercial jobs - high school and college papers, for example - and keeping on top of all of them can be a real challenge.

What was The Californian’s most recent purchase/installation?

We’re currently installing a reverse-osmosis water purification system and a mixer for fountain solution for the press from Pressroom Products Inc. We hope to have it fully operational by the end of the year. I chose the company because I had heard nothing but good things about them, and the rep that I have been dealing with is first class.

What is the biggest challenge The Californian is facing in production?

As I said earlier, changing production deadlines can make things pretty tough at times. The current economic climate means that ad sales can be slow at times, and that can hold a product up from going to press. You can’t print something when the ad sales folks are still out trying to get the ads sold, so you have to reschedule it. That means that my crew has to be really flexible with regard to work schedules, days off and so on.

What trend are you keeping your eye on?

The computerization of presses. At a lot of bigger sites, the ink settings on the presses are all completely automated now. I have to say that the increased role of technology in printing is, in my opinion, something of a mixed blessing. It might mean that things are more efficient and consistent, but ultimately it is taking the craftsmanship out of printing.

If you know anyone you think should be featured in Short Run, please contact Tara McMeekin at 303.575.9595 or by e-mail at: tmcmeekin@newsandtech.com