Today’s Daily Journal newspaper has a fresher, cleaner, more colorful look, and there’s a reason.

The newspaper you hold in your hands today is the first full edition of the Journal to come off a new printing press.

This multi-million dollar investment represents Journal Inc.’s commitment to its readers and advertisers and its confidence in the future of printed newspapers in the Northeast Mississippi market.

The new press is a massive piece of manufacturing equipment, totaling 160 feet in length – nearly twice that of the previous press – with 12 separate production towers capable of printing up to four different products simultaneously. It will provide greater capacity and flexibility in the printing of the Daily Journal, the company’s weekly newspapers and other publications, and will greatly increase the quality and availability of color.

More photos in the paper will now be in color, as well as the daily comics and other graphic elements. Advertisers will now have more options for color ads as well.

Work began on the new press a year ago this month. Once an agreement was reached with imPRESSions Worldwide in January 2012, imPRESSions began manufacturing equipment and the Journal began facility modifications and improvements to accommodate the new press.

The press is highly automated, with a system to detect paper breaks and stop the press before costly damage occurs and delays delivery of the newspaper. Its automated digital inking and registration systems will improve print quality and reduce waste.

Even with the automation, the Journal will at minimum retain its current production workforce level with the anticipation of additional outside business.

As part of the Journal’s agreement with imPRESSions Worldwide, the Burlington, Wash.-based company has opened a 33,000-square foot warehouse in Tupelo to serve the eastern United States, the Caribbean, eastern seaports of Latin America and trans-Atlantic locations.