How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose printable area per item.
- Enter or choose ink coverage of that area.
- Enter or choose ink film weight at 100% coverage.
- Enter or choose items printed.
- Enter or choose waste allowance (wash-up, make-ready).
- The ink needed updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
Ink per item (g) = Area × Coverage% × Film weight; Ink (kg) = Ink per item × Quantity ÷ 1000 × (1 + Waste%)
- Film weight
- grams of ink per m² at solid (100%) coverage
Worked example
- 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.
The run needs about 2.5 kg of ink, roughly 49.50 at 20 per kg.
What the result means
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 and limits
- Coverage is the average across the printed area.
- Film weight is the main uncertainty; the result is only as good as that input.
Questions
How do I find coverage?
Many prepress tools report coverage per separation; otherwise estimate the share of the area that is inked.
Does wet or dry ink weight matter?
Yes. Use the same basis as the ink you buy, usually wet ink as supplied.