Commercial Printing Prices in the United States

U.S. Commercial Printing Import Price per Ton in August 2022

In August 2022, the commercial printing price per ton amounted to $2.7K (CIF, US), increasing by 9.8% against the previous month. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $2.7K per ton in February 2022; afterwards, it flattened through to August 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was the UK ($6.0K per ton), while the price for India ($864.0 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Commercial Printing Import Prices by Type

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In August 2022, the product with the highest price was transfers (decalcomanias), other than vitrifiable ($37.4K per ton), while the price for registers, account books, order books and receipt books ($851.3 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by stamps; stamp-impressed paper; cheque forms; banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates (+14.2%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Commercial Printing Imports

In August 2022, purchases abroad of commercial printing (except screen and books) decreased by -2.3% to 234K tons, falling for the second consecutive month after four months of growth. Over the period under review, total imports indicated tangible growth from January 2022 to August 2022: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +3.8% over the last seven-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on August 2022 figures, imports decreased by -12.6% against June 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in May 2022 when imports increased by 24% month-to-month.

In value terms, commercial printing imports expanded sharply to $630M (IndexBox estimates) in August 2022. The total import value increased at an average monthly rate of +4.7% from January 2022 to August 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain months. The growth pace was the most rapid in March 2022 when imports increased by 21% m-o-m. Imports peaked in August 2022.

U.S. Commercial Printing Imports by Type

Books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter (85K tons), registers, account books, order books and receipt books (71K tons) and paper binders, folders and file covers (8.4K tons) were the main products of commercial printing imports to the United States, together comprising 85% of total imports. Printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards, printed picture, design and photograph n.e.s. , calendars and calendar blocks, self-adhesive printed labels, newspapers, journals and periodicals appearing less frequently than four times a week, printed matter in single sheets, whether or not folded, albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs, blotting pads and book covers, transfers (decalcomanias), other than vitrifiable, rolls, sheets and dials, printed for self-recording apparatus, in rolls, in rectangular sheets, or cut into dials, manifold business forms and interleaved carbon sets, vitrifiable transfers (decalcomanias), music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated and newspapers, journals and periodicals, appearing at least four times a week lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the biggest increases were in calendar and calendar block (with a CAGR of +28.9%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter ($219M) constituted the largest type of commercial printing supplied to the United States, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by registers, account books, order books and receipt books ($61M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by printed picture, design and photograph n.e.s. , with an 11% share.

U.S. Commercial Printing Imports by Country

In August 2022, China (105K tons) constituted the largest supplier of commercial printing to the United States, accounting for a 45% share of total imports. Moreover, commercial printing imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Canada (18K tons), sixfold. India (18K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.7% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to +2.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Canada (+0.4% per month) and India (+7.8% per month).

In value terms, China ($267M) constituted the largest supplier of commercial printing to the United States, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($81M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 7.9% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly growth rate of value from China amounted to +4.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Canada (+4.7% per month) and Mexico (+5.4% per month).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform