Kingsport Times News Installs ProImage’s Ink Saving Software

ProImage, an AGFA company, recently installed its ink saving solution OnColor ECO SaaS at the Kingsport Times News in Kingsport, Tenn. The newspaper’s goal was to reduce ink cost and improve color reproduction quality which both could be met and exceeded by ProImage’s OnColor ECO.

During the evaluation process, the Times News was looking at similar products but was impressed by the positive results from existing OnColor ECO users. OnColor ECO is an ink optimization application that reduces ink consumption while maintaining the highest possible print quality. OnColor ECO SaaS processes color PDF files over the web and returns them containing substantially less ink while retaining their original color.

The Times News reports an approximate 1,000 lbs. shift from color ink usage to black ink usage plus a 400 lbs. savings of each ink color per month. This results in an approximate saving of $1,100 per month; net of the cost of OnColor ECO SaaS service. This reduces their plate production costs by $0.11 per square foot based on 10,000 sq. ft. per month. Besides the tremendous savings, print quality also improved. Tim Archer, vice president of operations at the Times News reports "crisper images, less rub-off and improvements on press starts with cleaner press start-ups."

In addition, the paper reports a seamless integration of OnColor ECO into their workflow with simple in and out folders being one of the highlights. The staff at the Times News finds the service very easy to use and very simple to setup and operate. Archer added, “ProImage engineers were very helpful and quick to respond to any questions.”

The Kingsport Times News owned by the Sandusky Newspaper Group traces its history back to the Kingsport Times which has been in business since 1916. Times News also prints the Johnson City Press, a daily as well as Jonesborough Herald and Tribune, Erwin Record and Mt. City Tomahawk weekly publications. It provides local coverage and has a weekly audience of more than 100,000 people in the region.