1967 - Background - How Publishing a Newspaper Worked 2

[Trogluddite]

This is an A-I generated summary of the likely publishing timeline for the Eureka Times-Standard in 1967.  It admittedly contains some errors - the paper had an afternoon edition during the week and morning editions were only published on Saturday and Sunday.  However, this gives a good overview of the steps involved in printing a newspaper.  This information calls into question whether Roger Patterson's phone call to a reporter from the Times-Standard late Friday evening could have resulted in a front-page article the next morning.

 

 

Forums member OldMort provided a more detailed summary of the actual production process.

 

In 1967, producing a newspaper article for a 12,000-copy circulation involved a labor-intensive process that combined manual typesetting, mechanical printing, and logistical coordination. Here's a breakdown of how long it might have taken:

🕰️ Estimated Timeline for Typesetting and Printing (1967)
1. Typesetting
•     Method: Most newspapers used Linotype machines by the 1960s, which allowed operators to type lines of text that were cast in metal.
•     Time Required:
•     A skilled operator could set 4–6 lines per minute.

•     For a large article (say, 1,500–2,000 words), typesetting could take 2–4 hours, depending on complexity and corrections.
2. Page Layout and Proofing
•     Layout: Assembling the article into a page with headlines, columns, and any images.
•     Proofing: Editors reviewed galley proofs for errors.
•     Time Required: 1–2 hours, including corrections.
3. Plate Making (Stereotyping or Offset Prep)
•     Process: Creating a printing plate from the typeset page.
•     Time Required: 1–2 hours per page.

4. Printing

• Method: Offset printing was becoming more common, replacing letterpress.
• Speed: Mid-size presses could print 1,000–2,000 copies per hour.
• Time Required: For 12,000 copies, 6–12 hours, depending on press speed and setup time.

5. Folding and Distribution

• Folding: Often done with mechanical folders.
• Distribution: Bundled for delivery or mailing.
• Time Required: 2–3 hours.

Edited 5 hours ago by Trogluddite