The manufacturer's digital plates are set to increase by 5% and 10% while its conventional plates will rise by between 15% and 20%.

According to Kodak, the global price rise has been necessitated by a "sustained, universal rise in costs for key raw materials and utilities used in the production of offset plates".

Doug Edwards, general manager of prepress solutions at Kodak, said: "Kodak understands the difficulty our customers face with increasing costs for many of the consumables used in the printing process, from ink and paper to energy and fuel.

"During a time when all companies are facing added costs of doing business, we will work closely with our customers to ensure that both their plate needs and business requirements are met as effectively as possible."

Kodak said that further details of the new pricing will be communicated to customers next month and that existing plate contracts will be honoured.