The company has said it will close its West Ward site in Guthrie Street, Dundee, one of three it currently operates in the city, although no decision has yet been taken as to where the printing of any affected titles will take place.

Staff, including those at the site, have now entered a 90-day consultation. A spokesman for DC Thomson said the proposed changes were necessary to ensure a "strong future for the business which is proud of its heritage, its association with Dundee and the fine journalism which we produce".

He added: "These are difficult times for the publishing industry, but our publications are still among the most successful in their field. However, like others, we are not immune to the economic downturn or market conditions.

"We remain fully committed to our newspapers, magazines and comics business."

The company confirmed the proposed closure would not affect its newspaper business and that it would continue to print The Courier, the Evening Telegraph and The Sunday Post at its Kingsway premises, which also houses its gravure printing set-up.

The company said: "For the last 25 years, DC Thomson unusually has continued to print its own books and magazines despite increasingly difficult market conditions.

"We will do everything we can to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies so we can achieve the change wherever possible through a voluntary arrangement."

In March, 34 staff left DC Thomson's Glasgow operation through voluntary severance after the publisher planned to eliminate the day shift from production at the site.