From 4 October it will raise prices by 5-8% ending months of speculation.

It follows declarations by paper manufacturers of their intentions to push for price increases, following several years of poor profitability and rising raw material costs.

Reaction to Map's move by other merchants was mixed; some are following its lead while others are holding off passing price rises to printers.

Antalis print sector director Bruce Munro said the company was in final discussions with its suppliers.

"The increases are of a significant amount that we will have to pass on," he said.

One merchant said he was holding his resolve with regard to applying a price increase.

"We can understand why there should be an increase for indent and web stock, but not merchant stock," he said.

The source said that until the move was widespread they would not be sending out price increase letters.

"This may change over the next week, and we may be steamrollered into submission," he said.

"But I am of the opinion that the present time is not right for any increase to be applied to merchant stock."

Bob Ide, marketing director of PaperlinX-owned PaperCo, said his company had been receiving a steady stream of price increase notifications from mills over recent weeks.

"Whilst we are sympathetic to their need to improve returns, we don't feel it is appropriate at this stage to increase stock prices for sheets," he said.

The company remains in discussions with its suppliers.