No figures were revealed to indicate the extent of the drop, revealed in interim results, which was blamed on the recent closure of a Goss Community heatset press at Johnston's Portsmouth site.
It will make way for a triple-width MAN Roland machine that will print News International titles alongside Johnston's local newspapers.
The results statement showed that both the 45m project at Portsmouth and Johnston's new 60m plant near Sheffield were running to budget and on schedule.
The group posted a 9.3% year-on-year increase in pre-tax profits in the six months to 30 June, up to 82.2m. Turnover edged up 1.2% to 264.6m.
Sales dip after Johnston Press closes Goss kit
Johnston Press has reported a dip in contract printing revenues as it gears up to start installing its triple-width presses at Portsmouth and Sheffield.
