Top book printers -- El-Hi, Trade Fuel Optimism

The jury is still out as to what impact the higher paper prices will have on manufacturers' performance this year, but some expect that reality to have repercussions in the long term.

"We haven't seen increases in paper have a tremendous effect on what we're seeing in increased volume," says Clarke. "I'm sure the books that are mid-list might be subjected to reductions or eliminations."