Calculate paper consumption, sheet counts, and weight for any offset print job. All calculations include spoilage.
Paper quantity equals (quantity divided by up value) multiplied by (100% plus waste%). Standard waste: 8-10% for short runs under 5,000 sheets, 5-7% for medium runs. For 10,000 A4 brochures printed 2-up on SRA3: 5,000 sheets plus 7% waste equals 5,350 sheets to order.
Weight per 1,000 sheets equals (Length in metres multiplied by Width in metres multiplied by GSM) divided by 1,000. For SRA3 (0.45 x 0.32m) at 130 GSM: 0.45 x 0.32 x 130 equals 18.72 grams per sheet, so 18.72 kg per 1,000 sheets.
Spine width equals number of pages divided by 2, multiplied by paper caliper in mm. For a 200-page book on 130 GSM art paper (caliper approximately 0.145mm per leaf): 100 leaves x 0.145 equals 14.5mm spine width, plus 1-2mm for cover board and adhesive.
SRA3 (450x320mm) fits 4 pages of A5 or 2 pages of A4 with bleed. For a 16-page A4 booklet, you need 8 SRA3 sheets per copy — 4 front and 4 back in a work-and-back imposition.
A ream is 500 sheets. For A4 at 80 GSM: 500 x 0.21 x 0.297 x 80 equals approximately 2.5 kg per ream. For A4 at 130 GSM: approximately 4.1 kg per ream. Useful for planning storage, handling, and freight costs.
For a regular slotted container: internal dimensions equal product dimensions plus clearance (5-10mm per side). The blank size calculation accounts for flute thickness and flap allowance. Use our free Material Calculator for standard RSC and die-cut box blank calculations.