Global tensions: Rising paper costs make wedding invitations heavy on pocket

Indore: Even wedding invitations are now carrying the imprint of global tensions with rising paper costs pushing up the price of printed cards this wedding season.Industry players said the impact was not limited to paper alone. They said the rising cost of packaging material, ink and chemicals further inflated production expenses, forcing businesses to pass on the burden to customers.Traders said the price of imported art paper or coated paper, widely used in premium wedding cards and magazines, has increased by around 8-10 percent in recent weeks. This has translated into a 15-20 percent rise in overall printing costs.The increase has come at a time when demand is robust, leaving printers and customers with little room to absorb the higher costs."Coated paper prices have gone up due to supply disruptions and higher import costs triggered by the West Asia conflict. A large portion of this paper is imported and logistics issues have tightened supplies," Federation of Paper Traders' Association of India former vice-president Rajendra Mittal said.Printers said the impact is being directly passed on, especially in customised and premium invitation cards that rely on high-quality paper."Wedding card printing has become costlier by at least 10 percent in recent weeks. Paper is the biggest component in our cost, followed by packaging, ink and chemicals. The impact is visible in demand as well, with people curtailing wedding expenses by cutting down on festivities, guest lists and the number of invitation cards," a wholesale wedding card manufacturer from Khajuri Bazaar at Indore Vijay Banka said.Industry players said operational challenges have also emerged, with LPG supply constraints and higher fuel costs affecting production and leading to partial outsourcing to centres like Delhi and Ahmedabad."Supply of coated paper has tightened and we are unable to maintain inventory. Most purchases are now on a hand-to-mouth basis," said Ashish Arora, a printer and wholesaler.Indore has around 50 wedding card printers with the sector estimated at about Rs 50 crore.Customers, too, are feeling the pinch. "We had budgeted a certain amount for invitations, but prices have gone up unexpectedly. We are now reducing quantities or opting for simpler designs," said Neha Sharma, who is planning a wedding in the family.With costs rising across the value chain, industry players said wedding invitations are emerging as a noticeable addition to overall wedding expenses.