Trends in newspaper publishing
As our societies and technologies change, so do our methods of disseminating information. Evolving trends present a number of challenges, but also opportunities, to newspaper publishers. Newspaper publishers are confronted with changing information habits and competition from online media resulting in shrinking advertising revenues and declining circulation. On the other hand the globalised economy with an ever increasing number of international travellers and expats has opened new opportunities in the newspaper market. The newspaper industry has started to embrace new business models such as decentralised newspaper production or special editions.
Océ has gained a deep understanding of these business models in recent years, and is leading the way in digital newspaper production, pioneering solutions and business models that allow its clients to move with the times.
Choosing your business model
Océ has developed a series of business models based on short-run newspaper production intended to help you move into the new and profitable markets that are now emerging:
Short-run newspaper production
Many regional newspapers or ethnic minority newspapers have run lengths of 5,000 or less copies – uneconomical for offset production. This is where the Océ JetStream family comes in.
Decentralised newspaper production
In order to raise service levels for remote readers both at home and abroad. Newspapers such as the New York Times, the Nikkei and many others are produced every day around the world at six different Océ print sites on Océ web-fed solutions giving results very similar to offset “look and feel”. The print sites are located in Sydney, Singapore, Zurich, London, New York City and Los Angeles.
Additional special editions
Océ produces thousands of copies of special publications every week, aimed at, for example, specific target groups such as business travellers and therefore provided in the first-class sections of trains and airplanes. Other examples include newspapers from date of birth, special theme newspapers from archives or historical front pages, and editions for specific events. Such newspapers can be ordered over the web and produced on demand on digital presses.
Newspaper micro-zoning and individualisation
Micro- and geo-marketing are emerging megatrends that combine the strengths of digital and offset. Micro-zoning means that different types of targeting of newspapers now become feasible.
Systems that do what’s required
There are various Océ solutions that are particularly applicable to the printing of digital newspapers. The complete solutions consist of hardware: Digital presses and pre- and post-processing equipment, dedicated software to enable newspaper production, brainware in the form of consulting, and specific services supporting the digital newspaper printing business.
Entry solutions on Océ sheet-fed presses such as the Océ VarioPrint 6000 series offer newspapers on demand in premium quality and with the highest overall flexibility, handling original newsprint at 52 gsm, and capable of printing up to 300 24-page newspapers per hour. Full colour cover sheets can be produced on the Canon imagePRESS.
Mid-volume solutions on Océ web-fed toner-based presses such as the Océ VarioStream 7000, Océ VarioStream 8000 and Océ ColorStream 10000 Flex provide colour on demand with one or two spot colours or mixed monochrome and full colour pages and are able to print up to 1,000 24-page newspapers per hour on original 45 to 52 gsm newsprint.
High-volume solutions on Océ inkjet web-fed presses with the Océ ColorStream 3500 and the Océ JetStream family at upgradeable speeds of 100, 150 and 200 m/min with outstanding print quality of 600 x 600 dpi and printing up to 3,000 24-page newspapers per hour with 100% full colour and in broadsheet format.
Leading the way for our clients
As the recognised leader in digital newspaper production, Océ has established a business development capacity for newspapers at Océ international headquarters to build the worldwide newspaper business in cooperation with the various local sales organisations and distributors.
Océ is member of the main international newspaper associations, these being the World Association of Newspapers for strategic aspects, Ifra for technical themes, Distripress for newspaper sales and INMA for marketing subjects.
Typically, Océ is actively present two to three times a year at exhibitions organised by these associations, and attends business conferences, specialist seminars, and expert discussions on a regular basis.