The price rise, which is subject to existing contracts, will apply across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and is due to ongoing upward price pressure on raw materials for offset inks, which it first cited in a statement released last month.

Jan-Paul van der Velde, Flint Group senior vice-president procurement, sustainability, IT and regulatory, said: "The market for pigment intermediates and pigments has shown considerable increases due to more stringent environmental regulations and strict enforcement of these regulations.

"As well, various resins and basic chemicals used in the process industries remain challenging, with continued upward price pressures sustaining a long run with no relief in sight and fewer suppliers available with whom to partner."

Craig Foster, president of Flint Group's Print Media Europe Division, added that there has been a "steady creep upwards of pricing for most inputs", as well as some significant increases in specific product types.

The 5% price hike comes in spite of efforts to mitigate increases through efficiency programmes and the "ongoing development of a business appropriate lean organisation", the consumables supplier said.

"Consistent product supply and quality is vital to our valued customers and will never be compromised," added Foster.

"Therefore, despite our continued efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing cost escalation, Flint Group is forced to pass modest increases through the supply chain."