In an email passed to PrintWeek, the print management company addresses suppliers which are charged a percentage fee for an invoice being paid.

The email said: "I understand that at the moment you hold an RR Donnelley supplier agreement that provides for a transactional fee.

"Please be advised that RR Donnelley is intending to raise its transactional fee from 5% to 7 % to take effect for all invoices paid after the 1 April 2009."

It added that the supplier should let the company know of any particular issues that might be caused by the change.

Formal documents for their agreement were to be issued electronically over the following days.

One of GDS's print suppliers said that the market is increasingly witnessing a rise in transactional fees from print management companies.

The supplier, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "This is happening across the board and it is a large part of a print management company's revenue stream.

"However, I do question whether it is a long-term effective strategy. Print management only works if there are good printers behind it, and I think that clients should be asking if print management companies are requesting rebates."

Another printer agreed that such increases are continually occurring, but said he did not believe they are a reflection of the economic downturn.

He said: "Increased transactional fees are common practice and another revenue stream for the print manager."

RRD GDS declined to comment.

Also see:
RR Donnelley blames declining demand for £482m net loss
RR Donnelley beats creative agencies to win Archives contract