OPA Price Revision of 15-20% for Printing and Packaging

25 September 2026: The Offset Printers Association has announced an OPA price revision of 15 to 20 percent for printing and packaging products and services, effective immediately from 21 September 2026. The Ludhiana body, which speaks for hundreds of printing, packaging and binding units across Punjab and neighbouring states, said older rates no longer cover paper, board and other input costs.

What the OPA price revision covers

According to a 21 September statement carried by City Air News, members agreed to lift prices of products and services by 15 to 20 percent at once. The Offset Printers Association is based in Ludhiana. OPA’s 2026 office bearers are President Parveen Aggarwal, Senior Vice President Kushl Kumar Jain and General Secretary Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra. OPA said members will take new orders only at the revised rates. 

Why OPA says input costs jumped

The association cited industry data, finished paper, it said, has risen by INR 2 to 6 per kg in recent weeks, while kraft paper and duplex board have risen by INR 4 to 6 per kg. That board move, OPA added, has already pushed corrugated box and carton costs up by more than 10 percent.

Input cited by OPA	Claimed change
Finished paper	INR 2 to 6 per kg in recent weeks
Kraft paper and duplex board	INR 4 to 6 per kg
Corrugated boxes and cartons	More than 10 percent
Hardwood pulp	20 to 25 percent during FY25 and the first nine months of FY26
Writing and printing grades	Further mill hikes of INR 2,000 to 3,000 per metric tonne
All raw materials combined	30 to 40 percent

Lamination films, chemicals, inks, adhesives, imported wastepaper, coal and energy were listed as other pressure points, with tensions in West Asia blamed for freight and crude-linked swings. Paper cost is a running fight: in September 2025 the same body warned against a GST hike on paper, arguing that tax on paper versus finished cartons would trap cash in small plants.

What officers told members and buyers

Aggarwal said printing and packaging has absorbed successive cost shocks while supplying FMCG, pharma, e-commerce and education work, and that this revision is about survival rather than profit. Jain put the commercial rule this way:

OPA has always promoted ethical business practices. We have now resolved that members will accept new orders only at revised rates that truly reflect the escalated input costs. This is a collective, responsible step to protect the industry’s future and ensure continued quality service to our valued clients.

Chopra asked printing, packaging and binding entrepreneurs to stay united, warning that delay would make it harder to keep plants running. Brand owners were asked to accept the new rates so quality and delivery dates can be held. 

OPA already revised rates earlier in 2026

On 26 March 2026 the association already announced an immediate upward revision after kraft paper and duplex board had, in that earlier account, risen INR 3 to 4 per kg. The March note did not publish a 15 to 20 percent band. September’s board range of INR 4 to 6 per kg, and the pulp window of FY25 plus the first nine months of FY26, are OPA’s later figures; they have not been matched here against mill price lists.

FAQs

How large is the OPA price revision?

OPA said printing and packaging products and services will rise 15 to 20 percent, with new orders accepted only at revised rates from 21 September 2026.

Does the revision bind printers outside Punjab?

OPA represents units across Punjab and neighbouring states and asked fellow converters to hold the line. The statement is an appeal to members, not a statutory price cap.