Fulmar group marketing director Mike Austin said that margins were currently incredibly tight, and suggested that the print market was not strong enough to be able to pass any increases on to customers.

"I think we will see a huge amount of pressure to resist this," said Austin.

Price increases of between 4% and 9% for uncoated paper products have been announced by a number of UK paper merchants, with some manufacturers unveiling similar hikes for coated paper products.

Gary Bird, managing director of south-east London-based speciality printer Gavin Martin Associates said that like most printers he would have no choice but to pass the burden of increased costs to his clients.

"Our industry needs a shot in the arm and the only way to encourage buyers to return to print-based advertising is with cost incentives.

"Any increases will have the opposite effect," said Bird.

Oxford University Press director of printing services George Thomas said many print buyers would be loathe to accept an increase.

"With over-capacity in the industry print buyers will always be able to shop around and hold or drive cost down," he said.

The Robert Horne Group and PaperCo have both confirmed uncoated paper prices would rise between 4-9%, and 5-9% respectively with effect from 3 October. Premier Paper is also set to announce rises.

Robert Horne Group managing director Toby Marchant said although the increase would be felt mostly in cut size grades, it was likely to spread to all uncoated grades.

Marchant said the relentless rise in energy costs was hitting manufacturing and distribution.

Coated paper manufacturer Lecta, which includes producers Condat and Torraspapel, is to increase its prices for coated woodfree paper products in all European markets by between 6%-7% with effect from 31 October.

Story by Andy Scott