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The article discusses the Asian printing industry as of August 19, 2013, with a focus on Hong Kong, China print manufacturers, mergers and ventures within the industry, and an overview of ten export printers and their projects and services. Topics include the merger of Asia Pacific Offset Ltd. (APOL) with firm 1010 Printing Group, digital printing, and luxury packaging. INSETS: E.D. Ward, A Mercurial Bear: Edward Gorey Sticker Kit;'Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings';Monkey;Star Wars Super Deformed Plush (SDPs)

The article reports an increase in printing costs in Asia. For publishers who have enjoyed low prices from printers in Hong Kong and China in the past decade or so, change is coming, price increases of ten to 15 percent. A major reason for the higher cost came from Beijing, China in January, the reinforcement of a new labor contract law that limits working hours and overtime, sets minimum wages and severance pay, and mandates employer contribution to worker insurance and pension.