Paper Forecast — Consolidation Cuts Through

Commercial printers are left to wonder what impact all this consolidation will have on the availability of various grades and on paper prices, which are still on the rise. According to Andy Paparozzi, chief economist for the National Association for Printing Leadership, 23 percent of its research panel polled in January believe paper is less available than it was three months ago while only 4.4 percent feel it is more available. In January 1999, 7.3 percent felt it was less available while 16.4 percent felt it was more available.