"Without doubt we have raised productivity and quality standards," said technology and resources director Samus McCague. "By getting plates to the press faster, we can offer greater topicality and later deadlines to our customers."

The City West site is the result of 18 months of planning, development and implementation that cost a total of 44m (EUR 70m).

The plants two Agfa Polaris platesetters have to produce over 180 N91 photopolymer plates per hour per machine to feed an eight-unit MAN Roland Geoman press and two folders.

The 130,000-run Irish Times is the main focus of production, but there are also plans to move into contract commercial printing, starting with a 64pp colour magazine supplement for The Farmers Journal.

"All interested parties whove now witnessed the end product will attest to its crisp image, sharp type and colour quality," added McCague.

Story by Gordon Carson