Paper Prices Surge in Lahore: Offset and Art Card Rates Hit Record Highs

Lahore’s paper market witnessed a notable surge in prices on Thursday, October 9, 2025, with traders reporting record highs across major paper categories, including Offset, Art Card, and Sticker sheets. The price hike is expected to have ripple effects across Pakistan’s printing, publishing, and packaging industries, which are already grappling with inflation and supply chain pressures.

According to the latest market data, Offset Paper from Indonesia is being traded between Rs7,800 and Rs11,300 per ream, depending on the size. The Art Paper, imported from China, now sells at around Rs360 per kilogram, with varying GSM ranges affecting the final retail price. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Ivory Art Card—a staple for packaging and premium printing—has surged to Rs6,200 per packet for 300 GSM, marking one of the highest rates seen in recent months. The Sticker segment has also seen sharp increases, with Lintac Indonesia stickers reaching Rs9,000 per packet, while China Sticker Prime is priced at Rs3,900.

Industry experts attribute this escalation to rising import costs, a weakened Pakistani rupee, and increased shipping charges from East Asian suppliers. “The combination of global paper pulp shortages and fluctuating freight rates has made it increasingly difficult for local distributors to maintain stable pricing,” said a Lahore-based wholesaler.

Local printers and publishers have expressed concern that the rising costs will soon translate into higher retail prices for notebooks, textbooks, stationery, and packaging materials. The printing sector, which heavily depends on imported paper, is expected to feel the brunt of the impact during the upcoming academic publishing season.

Despite recent adjustments, analysts warn that the upward trend may continue in the short term. “Unless the government intervenes through import policy easing or tariff revisions, we’re likely to see paper rates remain volatile,” noted a senior member of the Lahore Paper Merchants Association.

As of this week’s market close, photocopy paper (BLC 70 GSM) from Indonesia is trading at Rs860 per ream, while locally produced Packages Offset Paper is priced around Rs390 per kilogram, depending on quality and finish. The Flying High Finish Paper, widely used for premium printing, continues to retail at Rs210 per kilogram.

With both demand and production costs showing no sign of relief, the paper industry braces for a challenging final quarter of 2025. Publishers and packaging manufacturers are already reviewing budgets to cope with what many call “the most expensive printing season in years.”