Since VGR moved into its current location at the beginning of 2000, the Printing Department operates a 6-Color Heidelberg 72 SP sheet-fed press and a Harris 200M web press. These two machines allowed the pressroom to print faster and to be more flexible to meet the needs of the ministry. However, in order to run the presses, we need something to print. The translation teams work to translate the Message to more than 50 different languages in print form. 

Once a transcript is complete, the pressroom works with the Missionary Department and the Shipping Department on potential print projects. A list is compiled and is sent to Brother Joseph. He then approves which projects we print next. A work order is created, and the typesetting department prepares the translations for the Printing Department to use.

While the translations are being prepared in an electronic format for the pressroom, we are looking at our inventory of ink, paper, and various supplies so we are ready to run the presses when we receive the completed document files from the Text Department.

The pre-press team takes those files and lays out the pages and covers to be printed, type of paper, the number to be printed and on which press they are to be run. Pre-press also creates an aluminum plate that is attached to the press that creates the image that is put on the paper. After the presses have finished the cover and pages, both are sent over to the collator to be stapled or “stitched” together, the edges trimmed, and put into boxes for the Shipping Department to package and ship.

Other publications printed in our department include: Message tracts, Cub Corner Magazines, Catch the Vison Magazines, posters, internal VGR documents, and special mailers.