Offset Paperback announced Thursday the layoff of 69 employees, or nearly 12 percent of its workforce of about 515 people, effective Jan. 27. The reason is primarily due to increased competition from e-books – a trend an industry expert says is affecting printers everywhere.

Employees were let go based on their hire date, but by department instead of companywide. Mr. Brown said if the company did lay off employees based on seniority companywide, some departments would end up with nobody in them, including crucial ones like maintenance.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to help these guys keep their jobs or get them back, but it’s disheartening,” he said.

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