Indicative paper and paperboard prices in India were unchanged in July 2026, but stable quotes have not removed the pressure on printers and packaging converters.Indian Printer & Publisher’s latest New Delhi survey found no month-on-month movement across 70 listed grades, ranging from maplitho and coated art paper to corrugated board and duplex board.
The calm in quoted prices comes as market participants watch rising energy, fuel and logistics costs, as well as potential disruption to imported-paper supply chains. The source notes that some distributors have been cautious about sharing price updates amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Market takeaway: Paper prices were flat in the latest New Delhi update, but input-cost pressure and import-policy changes mean packaging buyers should continue to monitor landed costs, inventory cover and supplier lead times.
For carton converters, the policy issue sits alongside the inverted GST structure identified in the source: paperboard inputs attract 18% GST while finished cartons are taxed at 5%. Industry representations have argued that this can lock up working capital in raw-material purchases.
Indicative price ranges in the latest New Delhi list
Grade | Indicative range (₹/kg) | Typical applications |
| India Maplitho paper | 53–97 | Publishing, notebooks and general printing |
| Premium woodfree offset | 84–98 | Books and commercial printing |
| Coated art paper | 88–155 | Catalogues, magazines and marketing print |
| Duplex board, grey back | 40–50 | Folding cartons and consumer packaging |
| SBS paperboard | 86–96 | Higher-value pharma and premium packaging |
| Corrugated board | 58–81 | Transit and transport packaging |
The source describes the list as indicative. Actual transaction prices can vary by grade, specification, supplier, geography and purchase volume.
With current prices flat rather than falling, the immediate procurement task is to protect supply flexibility. Print and packaging teams should refresh supplier quotes, assess alternatives for imported substrates and track the VPB MIP before committing to longer-term material contracts.
Source: Indian Printer and Publisher
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