by MARK ST.J. COUHIG

Sequim Gazette

The Sequim Gazette is now being printed on paper produced in Port Angeles by Nippon Paper Industries USA.

Mark Warner, who oversees the Peninsula Daily News and Sequim Gazette for Sound Publishing, said following the company’s recent purchase of the two newspapers he immediately began looking at the possibility of using the newsprint produced in Port Angeles for the Gazette.

The Peninsula Daily News has been printed on NPI paper since June.

Warner said he was concerned about the ability of Sound’s Everett press, where the two newspapers are now printed, to handle the NPI paper. The NPI paper is lighter than the old industry standard, which makes it more environmentally beneficial, but it had never been run in the company’s press. Fortunately, he said, the new paper “ran really well.”

Supply isn’t an issue, either, with NPI saying “they could happily provide the paper for the Gazette,” Warner said.

He estimated the Gazette will purchase 275 tons of newsprint each year from NPI. Readers will find an improved product, Warner said, with sharper images and text.

Perhaps most importantly, Warner said, buying local paper “is terrific for the community.”

Gazette Publisher Sue Ellen Riesau agreed, saying that prior to the Sound purchase the Gazette was produced by contract printers who chose the source of paper. Sound is making the effort to buy locally, she said.

NPI plant manager Harold Norlund also was pleased, pointing out that keeping the business at home doesn’t just help the mill, but the entire local economy.

“This is great for everyone,” he said.

Warner said he now is looking at the possibility of printing additional Sound publications using NPI paper.

Reach Mark Couhig at mcouhig@sequimgazette.com.