Print Imposition (Ups) Calculator
Find how many visiting cards, labels, flyers or stickers fit on an A4, A3, 12×18, 13×19 or custom sheet, with bleed and gutter, the best direction, the number of sheets you need and the cost per piece.
Sheet (the paper you print on)
Demy, Double Demy, Royal and Crown are common market sizes. Your supplier's sheet may be a little different, so check it and edit the width and height.
Item (what you print)
Use 2–3 mm bleed for cards and flyers, 0 for plain labels. A gap of 0 means the bleeds touch.
Sheet margin & gripper (mm)
The press can't print where the gripper holds the paper: about 10 mm on an offset machine. Digital presses need about 4–5 mm on every side.
Layout on the sheet
- Sheet used
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- Waste
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- Printable area
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- Item with bleed
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Cutting guide (guillotine, rough)
Job & prices
The prices are only examples. Enter your own; they are saved in this browser for next time.
Sheets & cost
How to use
- 1Choose the sheet you print on (12×18, 13×19, Demy, A3…) or type a custom size. Check the size with your paper supplier.
- 2Pick the item (visiting card, A5 flyer, DL, sticker…) or type its finished size. Set the bleed (2–3 mm) and the gap between items.
- 3Enter the gripper and margins of your machine. The tool tries every direction and shows the layout with the most ups, drawn to scale.
- 4Enter the quantity, wastage % and your paper and printing prices to get the sheets needed, the total cost and the cost per piece.
FAQ
How many visiting cards fit on a 12×18 sheet?
Without bleed or margins, 30 cards of 3.5 × 2 inches fit on a 12 × 18 inch sheet when you turn them sideways (6 across, 5 down); upright you only get 27. With 3 mm bleed and a press margin it is usually 20–24, so enter your own bleed and gripper to see the real number.
What does "ups" mean?
Ups is the number of copies of an item printed on one sheet. If a sheet holds 24 cards, it is a 24-up layout. More ups means fewer sheets, less printing and a lower cost per piece.
What is the gripper margin?
On an offset machine, metal grippers hold one edge of the sheet as it runs through the press, so nothing can be printed there. It is usually about 10 mm. Put it on the side that goes into the machine first; the other sides need only a few mm.
What is a mixed layout?
In a mixed layout most items sit in one direction and the leftover strip at the side or bottom is filled with items turned 90°. It often fits a few more pieces on the same sheet and can still be cut on a guillotine.
Should I always pick the layout with the most ups?
Not always. For cards and folded jobs, the paper grain direction matters, and an all-upright layout is quicker to cut. Tap Upright or Turned 90° to compare the sheets and cost before you decide.
Are Demy and Double Demy sizes exact?
No. In Bangladesh, Demy is usually sold as 18 × 23 inches and Double Demy as 23 × 36 inches, but some mills and suppliers use 17.5 × 22.5 or 22.5 × 35. Always check the sheet you buy and edit the width and height.