The rising cost of paper books is at risk of soaring

Paper shortages and rising energy costs why are the prices of printing books rising?

The increase in the cost of raw materials

The paper pulp used to create the paper on which books will be printed is the same as that used to create cardboard packaging. However, in recent years, the use of cardboard has exploded. On the one hand, for ecological reasons: we are using less and less plastic and it is often paper or cardboard that takes over. On the other hand, online sales have continued to grow in recent years, a trend largely accentuated by the pandemic that forced us to stay at home and forced many businesses to close or turn to delivery. Thus, in 2024, 1.5 billion parcels were distributed in France, or 12.4% more than in 2024. According to Intergraf, the Federation of European printers, " The graphics industry is experiencing a paper shortage as it has never known before ", so much so that the production of books, labels, advertising, packaging, magazines, and newspapers is "in real danger ". In 6 months, paper prices have in fact increased by an average of 45%. The association goes so far as to describe a " chaotic " situation, especially since the logistics and supply crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic is now compounded by the Ukrainian conflict and the inflation of energy costs.

When the price of oil soars, transportation, and delivery costs explode

Indeed, the global economic situation, the pandemic and now the war and the embargo on Russian oil have resulted in a 38% increase in the price of diesel since 2024. While shortages are unlikely, inflation could continue with direct consequences on the cost of transporting goods. However, transport and delivery are added to printing costs and this increase will therefore necessarily be passed on to the final reader.

What are the consequences for printers, publishers, and readers?

Printers are the first to be affected by this increase: they who usually have negotiated rates for purchasing rolls of paper must face uncertainty. Indeed, they are sometimes forced to order paper without knowing in advance at what price it will be charged. Naturally, they have had to pass this price on to their customers – particularly publishers – who are also forced to face uncertainty: today, a printing quote is rarely valid for more than one or two weeks. As a result, printers' customers have been subject to price increases since 2024– around 25% – which have destabilized their economic model. Today, few publishers have communicated about an increase in the price of books but this will probably be the case in the coming months. Only manga publishers have already communicated on the subject: Panini manga has increased the price of its series by €0.30 to €1 depending on the format. On the press side, the price of magazines on newsstands has increased by 20 cents, notably for Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Les Échos.

And at Librinova, what are the consequences of this increase?

Like publishing houses, Librinova has been impacted by this increase in printing prices. Our two printers, Sobook, and Lightning Source, have decided to increase their prices from the beginning of the second quarter of 2024 and we have therefore had to react ourselves:

• As of, 2024, the printing rates for author copies have been revised;
• We have adjusted the delivery costs of our site's bookstore to take into account the increase in transport costs linked in particular to the increase in the diesel tax;
• We have adjusted the price levels offered to authors for the marketing of their paper copies so that they include the new printing rates.

The book sector is currently in an unprecedented situation with printing costs constantly increasing for a year, supply difficulties, and extended deadlines. While the future remains uncertain, a book shortage is not for tomorrow! Printers, publishers, and Librinova have organized themselves so that readers and authors suffer as little as possible from this situation – in the hope that a return to normal will be possible.