PLAN WELL AHEAD AND EVERYONE BENEFITS

 

 

The following will help to explain some of the concern expressed by the College

printing department regarding the high cost of photocopying.

Paper is not the only product in the printing and photocopying industry which is
rising in cost: equipment, parts, toners, inks, service, masters, etc., also have had

substantial and unpredictable increases and more can be expected.

The following excerpts from a recent letter received by us from one of the major

paper manufacturers illustrate the spiralling Cost problem:

A -"To the consternation of all of us, the supply and price situation in fine papers
over the past year has been changing at an unprecedented rate. As one of those
being asked to pay the higher price, you are undoubtedly concerned, possibly confused,
and probably irritated. We as a manufacturer of fine papers think that you are
entitled to an explanation of what is going on. Some of this may be self-evident,
Or part of a story you have heard too often in recent months..... ie

B -"Pulp, the major raw material of fine paper, has increased since the beginning of this
year from $160/ton to a possible level of $265/ton January Ist, 1974, an increase of
66%. There are various spot prices in Europe and elsewhere $40 to $50/ton higher than

this. Unless we are prepared to keep pace we can only expect greater shortages in our
mills. .77% '

C -"So much for pulp. Surely, all the paper supply and price problems are not caused by
the pulp situation. Quite true, but pulp is the primary raw material in the
manufacture of fine paper. Price and availability of printing and writing grades are
tied very closely to the market puip situation. There are ,however, other major cost
factors. Fine paper is relatively labor intensive compared, for instance, with news-
print, and we are looking at a 10% increase in labor costs. Items such as starch,
clay, and numerous chemicals have not simply kept pace with the cost of living; they
have in some cases almost doubled in price in the last year. The cost and availability
of energy is a source of concern to us and to all industries..... y

These facts point up the reasons why your departmental printing or photocopying jobs
require planning well ahead of your deadline. The following graph shows the production cost

comparison between photocopying, duplicating and printing equipment available within the

College.

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