By Paul Pannone

As if the print business doesn’t have enough worries the very material it relies on could see an increase in cost, as closures and consolidation leaves less competition to keep prices stable.

Magazines and printed formats are already dying and face higher cost of production including Bridal. Bridal Guide is also dying but at a slower rate, according to the latest circulation numbers.

This week members of the Wedding Water Cooler with backgrounds in print media talked about the lower newsstand sales figures showing the drop in the overall sale of magazines. Members with backgrounds that include bridal publications say they’re watching the entire print business tanking, not just bridal publications.

According to Folio:

While the rising use of tablets and e-readers is sure to drive down the already weaning demand for print, no one is sure how fast and wide-ranging a complete digital migration will be. And even though a drop in demand might ordinarily mean a drop in price, the paper industry has become increasingly unstable, and such a fall in demand might lead to additional mill consolidation and closures, as well as greater underutilization of machines—all of which, many publishers fear, could lead to dramatic price increases and severe paper shortages.

Besides paper, ink is also a rising cost concern for the industry. While the price of ink is not as big a concern as paper prices, it also experienced large increases over the last year, say industry observers.

Members of the the WWC provided the background information and the most current ABC Circulation numbers as follows:

Bridal Guide. 96,105. Down 13.5 
Brides. 64,143 down 25.8 
Martha Stewart 171,101 down 15.7 

Source.  ABC. Audit bureau of circulations 

eWedNewz continues to investigate the dropping sales figures of all print materials. We welcome your thoughts and ask you take the following poll:

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