In its 129th year, the 'Prince' unveils color broadsheet

Today's issue of the 'Prince' features color and a new 12.5x22 -inch broadsheet design, the most striking visual change to the paper in decades. The 'Prince' was formerly black and white and on 11x17 tabloid.

Recent changes in how the newspaper is published — including improved technology and earlier deadlines — made color more feasible, said Zachary Goldfarb '05, editor in chief of the outgoing 128th board of the 'Prince.'

Last year, the 'Prince' began to be compiled digitally and submitted electronically to its printer, the Princeton Packet.

Though it is impossible to predict the cost of production in the new format, it is expected to be more or less the same as it is now, Goldfarb said.

The 'Prince' started looking into the current redesign a few months into the tenure of the 128th board, Goldfarb said. The final decision was made at the end of the spring semester, following deliberations over timing and implementation.

"Students started asking about color or broadsheet in the last six years, but it wasn't until Zach [Goldfarb] came along and the Packet agreed to print us in color and broadsheet at about the same cost that it became possible," said Brian Smith, 'Prince' production manager.

With 10 pages in the new broadsheet equivalent to 12 tabloid pages, there will be about 20 percent more space for content. Color will be limited to the front and back cover with the option of adding it on the first and last inside pages.

The new and improved appearance will inspire campus members to take another look at the 'Prince,' said Tito Bottitta, a freelance designer hired by the 'Prince' to redesign the paper. Bottitta previously redesigned the Syracuse Daily Orange and worked for the Boston Globe.

"Compared to something like a steady improvement in content, this is a concrete change from the 'Prince' that your audience has gotten used to," Bottitta added.

Goldfarb approached the Board of Trustees about switching to color broadsheet last spring. "The trustees liked the concept, and I personally think it's going to be great," said Richard Thaler, president of the Board.

Thaler was business manager in 1972, the year the Prince moved from using letter press, involving hot lead type, to the tape-fed machines used in offset printing.

"We had actually talked about going to the size of the Daily Penn [broadsheet at the time], though we didn't do it in the end," Thaler said. "We had some of the same reasons to do so, like crisper pictures and a more professional experience."

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

The updated design will have a positive effect on the way 'Prince' staff will operate, Goldfarb said. "With a tabloid, you could get away with things. Now you can't. The impressive publication will push us to do better work."

The newly designed 'Prince' integrates modern design elements while maintaining the classic, erudite feel of the old paper, Bottitta said. "We didn't want to go in for something that was trendy at the moment but would look dated."

The 'Prince' will also feature a "bottom bar" with daily weather by the hour, sports trivia and a campus calendar.

"We'd love it if readers picked up the 'Prince' just for the bottom bar," Goldfarb said.

"[The redesign] seemed to generate some energy for us," he said. "The Prince will still chronicle the history of the University, and change things to make them better. Now a limitation to doing this has been overcome."