The pan-European price rise will vary depending on product composition and product line. Specific increases will be communicated directly with customers.

Sun Chemical's price hike comes just weeks after Hubergroup made a similar announcement, at which time Sun Chemical declined to comment on its plans. Flint Group announced a 2-6% increase on printing inks across EMEA earlier this month.

The consumables manufacturer blamed the rise on raw material prices, which it said had risen on an annual basis despite stabilising in 2012, with more rises expected in 2013.

These raw material increases were said to be mainly due to production and environmental restrictions on key materials, the weaker Euro and high demand levels.

Felipe Mellado, Sun Chemical's chief marketing officer, said: "The high levels of raw material costs are unprecedented and as a result of make it necessary for us to keep our ink prices under review.

"We work proactively with our supply chain partners to manage and minimise costs, but due to the economic reality, cost pressures have been constant and significant price increases are being passed on to the inks industry.

"To ensure we maintain high levels of product quality and service as well as profitability, it has become necessary to further increase customer prices."