“The Gayly” incurs another printing price increase due to tariffs

Chain disruptions, increased demand, and geopolitical events affecting rate hike

 - by Robin Dorner
    Editor in Chief

Late last week, The Gayly received an email and an addendum from our printing company informing us that, due to tariffs, we will once again incur a price increase.

The increase is, in part, due to the cost of aluminum used in printing plates, as well as chain disruptions, increased demand, and geopolitical events affecting the rate hike.

The letter reads:

“Subject: Pricing Adjustment Due To Government Aluminum Tariffs and Paper Mill Increases

“Dear Valued Printing Customer,

“ As many of you may already know, the U.S. government has expanded and increased existing tariffs on imported raw aluminum used in the production of printing plates.

“Although 25% tariffs have been in place since March, [printing company name redacted] understands that increases may pose a hardship for many of our customers and has done everything we can to keep printing costs down. We’ve made every effort to avoid passing along the increases our industry has seen over the last year, absorbing them wherever possible to reduce the impact on our customers.

“Unfortunately, as of June 2025, the federally mandated tariffs on aluminum used in our printing plates increased to 50%, and beginning October 1, 2025, those increases have been passed on to [printer name redacted] by our suppliers. In addition to these tariffs, the paper mills are passing on a 4% increase, effective November 1, 2025, due to supply chain disruptions, increased demand, and geopolitical events.  

“These adjustments, compounded by rising costs for energy, labor, and other consumables, have left us with no option but to implement an 8% price adjustment to the printing costs of all products, effective Monday, December 1, 2025. 

“We understand that price increases are never welcome; unfortunately, the environment today requires them for us to continue producing your products. We greatly value our relationship and the continued confidence you place in us as your print solution provider, and we will continue to provide the best possible production, delivery, and customer service.    

“Thank you for your understanding and patronage during these market fluctuations.”

The letter reflects how the price of items in general has increased since this president began threatening tariffs. As we wrote on our social media pages earlier this year, when a 25% tariff on Canada —where our printer gets its paper —was imposed, “I’m not sure we can survive these price increases.”

And that is the reality. I am not sure we can survive, especially given how rates for everything have increased, including labor and utilities. I think keeping the print version of The Gayly is vital, particularly in the areas we distribute – the South-Central region.

The Gayly online. 11/02/2025 @ 9:30 a.m. CST.