Ludhiana, Sept. 23 -- Ahead of the assembly elections in Punjab, printing and packaging products are set to become costlier as the Offset Printers Association, representing hundreds of printing, packaging and binding units across Punjab and neighbouring states, has unanimously decided to increase the prices of its products and services by 15% to 20% with immediate effect.

The decision comes amid a steep and sustained increase in the cost of basic raw materials, with industry members stating that cumulative input costs have risen by 30% to 40%, making it increasingly difficult for MSME units to continue operating at existing rates.

The industry has also been hit by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have contributed to higher frei...