{
    "name": "Printing Ink Consumption Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/printing-ink-consumption-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/printing-ink-consumption-calculator.md",
    "category": "Manufacturing & packaging",
    "description": "Estimate the ink a print job uses from printed area, coverage, ink film weight per m² and quantity, with a waste allowance and optional ink cost.",
    "summary": "Ink used is the printed area times the coverage percentage times the ink film weight per square metre. The film weight depends on the process and set-up, so it is your input.",
    "also_called": [
        "Ink usage calculator",
        "Ink mileage calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "print_area",
            "label": "Printable area per item",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.5",
            "unit": "m²"
        },
        {
            "name": "coverage",
            "label": "Ink coverage of that area",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "30",
            "unit": "%"
        },
        {
            "name": "laydown",
            "label": "Ink film weight at 100% coverage",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1.5",
            "unit": "g/m²"
        },
        {
            "name": "quantity",
            "label": "Items printed",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "10000"
        },
        {
            "name": "waste",
            "label": "Waste allowance (wash-up, make-ready)",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "10",
            "unit": "%",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "ink_price",
            "label": "Ink price per kg",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "20",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "currency",
            "label": "Currency",
            "type": "currency",
            "default": "USD"
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "ink_kg",
            "label": "Ink needed",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "net_kg",
            "label": "Ink on the product",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "grams_per_item",
            "label": "Ink per item",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "ink_cost",
            "label": "Ink cost",
            "format": "currency"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Ink per item (g) = Area × Coverage% × Film weight;  Ink (kg) = Ink per item × Quantity ÷ 1000 × (1 + Waste%)",
        "variables": {
            "Film weight": "grams of ink per m² at solid (100%) coverage"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "print_area": "0.5",
            "coverage": "30",
            "laydown": "1.5",
            "quantity": "10000",
            "waste": "10",
            "ink_price": "20",
            "currency": "USD"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Per item = 0.5 m² × 30% × 1.5 g/m² = 0.225 g.",
            "Net = 0.225 × 10,000 ÷ 1000 = 2.25 kg.",
            "With 10% waste: 2.475 kg, costing 2.475 × 20 = 49.50."
        ],
        "result": "The run needs about 2.5 kg of ink, roughly 49.50 at 20 per kg."
    },
    "interpretation": "Run the calculator once per colour, since each colour has its own coverage. Weigh ink before and after a job to calibrate the film weight.",
    "assumptions": [
        "Coverage is the average across the printed area."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Film weight is the main uncertainty; the result is only as good as that input."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "How do I find coverage?",
            "answer": "Many prepress tools report coverage per separation; otherwise estimate the share of the area that is inked."
        },
        {
            "question": "Does wet or dry ink weight matter?",
            "answer": "Yes. Use the same basis as the ink you buy, usually wet ink as supplied."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Paper GSM Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/paper-gsm-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Carton Production Cost Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-production-cost-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Percentage Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/percentage-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}