The price of goods leaving printed matter and recorded media factories is 3.3% higher than the same time last year, according to the latest output prices from the Office for National Statistics. Octobers figure was also up 0.1p to 106.3p compared to September. The index was set at 100 in 2000.

Prices of goods leaving pulp, paper and paper products factories in October fell 0.1p to 99.8p, down 1.6% on the previous year.

The price paid by printed matter and recorded media companies for goods and materials coming into their factories in October also fell 0.1% compared to the previous month, although prices were 0.9% higher than the same time last year.

PrintWeek economics contributor David Ross said: The last [BPIF] Directions survey showed that printers felt they might be able to tweak up prices. The summer may have been better than some hoped for, which might have given more confidence.

He said the months running up to Christmas were traditionally the industrys busiest, which might explain the increase.

Story by John Davies