# PrintImposition.com > Free online print imposition calculator and professional print production tools for commercial printers, print shops, and graphic designers. ## About This Tool PrintImposition.com is a free web-based suite of calculators and tools for print production professionals. The flagship calculator determines how many printed items fit on a press sheet, accounting for bleed, gripper edge, and margins. Additional tools cover job costing, GSM conversion, DPI checking, and bleed verification. ## Interactive Tools ### Sheet Imposition Calculator Calculate optimal print layouts for any sheet size with visual preview. - Support for SRA3, SRA4, B1, B2, and custom sheet sizes - Quick presets for Business Card, A5, DL, and A6 Postcard - Bleed, gripper edge, and margin controls with helpful tooltips - Visual layout preview with efficiency percentage - Print quantity field with sheets-needed calculation - MM and inch support with auto-conversion - PDF export of imposition layout URL: https://printimposition.com/ ### Roll / Label Imposition Calculator Calculate narrow web label layouts for roll-fed presses. - Labels across the web, repeat length, linear metres - Standard web widths: 250mm, 330mm, 410mm, 510mm - Web waste percentage and labels per linear metre URL: https://printimposition.com/ (Roll tab) ### Job Cost Calculator Calculate total print job costs with itemised breakdown. - Inputs: quantity, items per sheet, paper/ink cost, makeready, finishing, markup - Outputs: sheets required, paper cost, ink cost, finishing cost, total, cost per unit URL: https://printimposition.com/tools/job-cost-calculator ### GSM Converter Convert between GSM (grams per square metre) and US basis weight systems. URL: https://printimposition.com/tools/gsm-converter ### DPI Calculator Calculate print resolution and determine if images meet quality thresholds. URL: https://printimposition.com/tools/dpi-calculator ### Bleed Checker Verify bleed settings for common print products and sheet sizes. URL: https://printimposition.com/tools/bleed-checker ## Common Calculations ### Business Cards on SRA3 - Card size: 85 × 55mm with 3mm bleed - SRA3 sheet: 320 × 450mm - Result: 24-28 cards per sheet depending on margins ### Standard Sheet Sizes - SRA3: 320 × 450mm (digital/small offset) - SRA4: 225 × 320mm (digital runs) - B2: 500 × 707mm (mid-size offset) - B1: 707 × 1000mm (large format offset) ## Pre-Built Calculation Pages - Business Cards on SRA3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/business-cards-on-sra3 - A5 Flyers on SRA3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/a5-flyers-on-sra3 - DL Flyers on SRA3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/dl-flyers-on-sra3 - A6 Postcards on SRA3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/a6-postcards-on-sra3 - Business Cards on B2: https://printimposition.com/calculate/business-cards-on-b2 - A5 Flyers on B2: https://printimposition.com/calculate/a5-flyers-on-b2 - A4 on B1: https://printimposition.com/calculate/a4-on-b1 - A5 on SRA4: https://printimposition.com/calculate/a5-on-sra4 - Stickers 100×100 on SRA3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/stickers-100x100-on-sra3 - Stickers 50×50 on SRA3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/stickers-50x50-on-sra3 - Business Cards on A3: https://printimposition.com/calculate/business-cards-on-a3 - A4 Flyers on B1: https://printimposition.com/calculate/a4-flyers-on-b1 - Labels on 330mm Roll: https://printimposition.com/calculate/labels-on-330mm-roll ## Comparison Matrix A complete side-by-side reference of how many of each common print item fit on every standard press sheet. Use this for quick sheet-size selection. URL: https://printimposition.com/compare ## Quick Answers (LLM-Friendly) These are the most-asked questions about print imposition with concise, citable answers. Q: How many business cards fit on an SRA3 sheet? A: 21 standard 85×55mm business cards with 3mm bleed fit on SRA3 (320×450mm) in portrait orientation, with 10mm gripper edge — about 87% sheet efficiency. Q: How many business cards fit on A4? A: 8 standard cards with 3mm bleed (2×4 layout) or 10 without bleed (2×5). A4 is much less efficient than SRA3. Q: What is the difference between A3 and SRA3? A: A3 (297×420mm) is the finished document size. SRA3 (320×450mm) is the press sheet — 23mm wider and 30mm taller — providing room for 3mm bleed, gripper edge, and trim marks. You print on SRA3 and trim to A3. Q: How much bleed do I need for print? A: 3mm bleed on all sides is the global standard for commercial printing. Some specialist applications (large-format, packaging) use 5mm. Q: What is gripper edge? A: The 10–15mm strip at the lead edge of a press sheet that the press grips to pull the sheet through. It cannot be printed on. Always exclude it from your imposable area. Q: CMYK or RGB for print? A: CMYK. Convert RGB to CMYK in your design software using the printer's ICC profile (commonly FOGRA39 or GRACoL2013) before exporting PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4. Q: Saddle stitch or perfect binding? A: Saddle stitch for 8–64 pages; perfect binding for 40–700+ pages. Saddle stitch is cheaper and lays flat; perfect binding is more durable and supports a printable spine. Q: What is N-up printing? A: N-up means N items printed on one sheet — 2-up is two items per sheet, 4-up is four, etc. It is the practical name for imposition on small-format jobs. Q: How many A5 flyers fit on SRA3? A: 4 A5 flyers (148×210mm) with 3mm bleed fit on SRA3 in a 2×2 portrait layout — about 95% sheet efficiency. Q: Spot UV vs full UV — which is better? A: Full UV coats the whole sheet for protection and uniform gloss. Spot UV applies varnish to selected areas for tactile contrast. Spot UV costs 30–60% more but creates a far more premium look on business cards and book covers. Q: How many A4 flyers fit on an SRA3 sheet? A: Two A4 flyers (210×297mm) with 3mm bleed fit on SRA3 (320×450mm) in portrait orientation — about 89% sheet efficiency. For longer runs, B2 fits 4 per sheet and B1 fits 9. Q: What is bleed in printing? A: Bleed is artwork extending 3mm beyond the trim edge so that small cutting tolerances do not leave white slivers along the page edge. 3mm is the global standard; 5mm is used for large-format and packaging. Q: What does GSM mean for paper? A: GSM (grams per square metre) is the mass of a 1m × 1m sheet of that paper. 80gsm is office copier paper, 130–170gsm is a flyer, 300gsm is a brochure cover, 350gsm is a standard business card, and 400gsm+ is premium card stock. Q: What is the difference between GSM and Pt? A: GSM measures weight per area; Pt (point) measures thickness — 1pt = 1/1000 inch. Rough equivalents for coated cover stock: 14pt ≈ 320gsm, 16pt ≈ 360gsm, 18pt ≈ 400gsm. Q: What is 300 GSM in lb? A: 300 GSM ≈ 111 lb Cover, 203 lb Text, 80 lb Bond, or 165 lb Index. The conversion differs by grade because each US grade uses a different basic sheet size. For brochure covers and postcards, the 111 lb Cover value is the one to use. Q: What is 80 lb paper in GSM? A: 80 lb Text ≈ 118 GSM (a heavy flyer paper). 80 lb Cover ≈ 216 GSM (a light card stock). 80 lb Bond ≈ 300 GSM. Always confirm the grade — Cover, Text, or Bond — before ordering. Q: What GSM is cardstock? A: Cardstock runs from about 180 GSM to 400 GSM. 250 GSM is a light postcard, 300 GSM is a brochure cover, 350 GSM is a standard business card, and 400 GSM is premium card stock. Q: How do I convert GSM to lb? A: There is no single formula because lb depends on the paper grade. For Bond: lb ≈ GSM ÷ 3.76. For Book/Text: lb ≈ GSM ÷ 1.48. For Cover: lb ≈ GSM ÷ 2.70. Use the free converter at https://printimposition.com/tools/gsm-converter. ## Guides & Resources ### Print Imposition Basics A complete guide to imposition types, methods, and best practices. Covers work-and-turn, work-and-tumble, sheetwise, gang printing, and signature imposition. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/print-imposition-basics ### Paper Sizes Explained Comprehensive reference for ISO A, B, SRA, and North American paper sizes with dimensions in mm and inches. Includes comparison tables, an interactive paper size converter, and guidance on choosing the right size. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/paper-sizes ### Bleed & Margins Guide Everything about print bleed, safe zones, gripper edges, and margin setup. Covers industry-standard measurements, common mistakes, and software-specific instructions. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/bleed-and-margins ### Reducing Print Waste Strategies for minimizing paper waste in commercial printing through better imposition, sheet size optimization, and sustainable printing practices. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/reducing-print-waste ### Print Job Costing Step-by-step guide to costing commercial print jobs. Covers paper cost calculation, ink estimation, makeready allowances, finishing costs, markup formulas, and a fully worked example costing a 5,000-run A5 flyer job. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/print-job-costing ### Prepress Checklist 20+ verification points to check before sending files to print. Covers colour mode (CMYK vs RGB), resolution, font embedding, bleed verification, total ink coverage, PDF/X compliance, and a printable checklist. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/prepress-checklist ### Digital vs Offset Printing Complete comparison of digital and offset printing for print professionals. Includes cost crossover analysis with real numbers, quality comparison, turnaround time differences, imposition considerations, and a decision framework. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/digital-vs-offset ### Color Management for Print Guide to CMYK vs RGB, ICC profiles, Pantone matching, total ink coverage, and colour-accurate proofing workflows for commercial printing. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/color-management ### Gang Run Printing How gang run printing works, when to use it vs dedicated runs, imposition layout strategies, cost savings with worked examples, and tips for designers submitting gang run jobs. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/gang-run-printing ### Paper Weight & GSM Explained Understanding paper weight measurements (GSM, basis weight, caliper), common weights for different print products, and a GSM-to-basis-weight conversion reference. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/paper-weight-gsm ### Print File Formats Guide to PDF/X standards, TIFF, EPS, and other file formats for print production. Covers when to use each format, export settings, and common format mistakes. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/print-file-formats ### Roll Imposition for Labels Complete guide to roll imposition for narrow web label printing — labels across, repeat length, linear run, web waste, and optimisation strategies. URL: https://printimposition.com/guides/roll-imposition-labels ### Printing Glossary 40+ print production terms defined with clear, professional explanations. Covers bleed, CMYK, gripper edge, imposition, makeready, PDF/X, and more. URL: https://printimposition.com/glossary ### Editorial Standards Our editorial process, content accuracy standards, and author expertise. How PrintImposition.com creates and maintains trustworthy print industry resources. URL: https://printimposition.com/editorial-standards ## Tips & Articles ### SRA3 vs SRA4: Which Sheet Size Should You Use? Side-by-side comparison of SRA3 and SRA4 press sheets with real imposition examples, cost-per-unit analysis, and a decision framework. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/when-to-use-sra3-vs-sra4 ### How to Maximise Business Card Imposition Practical techniques for fitting the most business cards per sheet, including rotation strategies and multi-size ganging. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/business-card-imposition-tips ### 5 Common Bleed Mistakes (and How to Fix Them) The most frequent bleed errors that cause reprints, with visual examples and prevention tips. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/common-bleed-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them ### Gripper Edge Allowance: How Much Do You Really Need? Technical guide to gripper edge requirements across different press types, with measurement recommendations. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/understanding-gripper-edge-allowance ### PDF Export Settings for Print-Ready Files Step-by-step PDF export configuration for InDesign, Illustrator, and Affinity Publisher to produce compliant print files. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/pdf-export-settings-for-print ### Reduce Paper Waste on Short Print Runs Targeted strategies for minimising waste when printing under 1,000 units, including sheet size selection and gang run tips. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/how-to-reduce-paper-waste-on-short-runs ### How to Calculate Paper for a Print Job Step-by-step method for calculating exact paper requirements including makeready allowance, spoilage, and overs. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/how-to-calculate-paper-for-print ### N-Up Printing Explained: 2-Up, 4-Up, 8-Up Layouts What N-Up printing means, when to use each layout, and how it relates to imposition and finishing. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/n-up-printing-explained ### Print Finishing Techniques: A Quick Guide Overview of common print finishing methods — lamination, UV coating, die-cutting, embossing, foiling, and binding options. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/print-finishing-options ### How to Set Up Bleed in Design Software Step-by-step bleed setup instructions for Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Affinity Publisher, and Canva. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/how-to-set-up-bleed ### Booklet Imposition: Page Order and Signature Layout How booklet imposition works — page ordering, creep allowance, signature planning, and saddle-stitch vs perfect binding considerations. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/booklet-imposition-page-order ### A3 vs SRA3: What's the Difference? Why SRA3 exists, how it differs from A3, and when each size is appropriate in print production. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/a3-vs-sra3 ### How Much Paper Waste Is Normal in Printing? Industry benchmarks for paper waste in digital and offset printing, including makeready waste, running waste, and finishing waste. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/how-much-paper-waste-is-normal ### Sheet-Fed vs Roll-Fed Label Printing Comparison of sheet-fed and roll-fed label production — cost, speed, quality, and when to choose each method. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/sheet-fed-vs-roll-labels ### CMYK vs RGB for Print: The Complete Guide Why prints differ from screens, RGB-to-CMYK conversion workflow, ICC profile selection, total ink coverage limits, and the most common colour shifts (vivid blues, neon greens, weak black). URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/cmyk-vs-rgb-for-print ### How Many Business Cards Fit on an A4 Sheet? A4 holds 8–10 business cards depending on bleed and margins. Full reference for EU, US, square, and slim card sizes with efficiency comparison vs SRA3 and B2. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/how-many-business-cards-per-a4 ### Spot UV vs Full UV: Which Coating Should You Choose? Spot UV vs flood UV compared on cost, file setup (SpotUV mask layer), use cases, and how to avoid registration disasters. Includes InDesign/Illustrator setup. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/spot-uv-vs-full-uv ### Saddle Stitch vs Perfect Binding: How to Choose Page count limits (8–64 vs 40–700+), cost crossover, lay-flat behaviour, spine printability, creep, and a clear decision framework for booklet binding. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/saddle-stitch-vs-perfect-bound ### ISO 216 Paper Sizes Explained: A, B, C Series Why every A4 has a 1:√2 aspect ratio, complete A/B/C series dimensions, where SRA fits in (ISO 217), and how the system enables loss-free scaling between sizes. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/iso-216-paper-sizes-explained ### How Many A4 Flyers Fit on an SRA3 Sheet? Two A4 flyers fit per SRA3 sheet at 89% efficiency. Includes a sheets-required table by quantity and a comparison with B2 and B1 offset yields. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/how-many-a4-flyers-fit-on-sra3 ### Print Bleed Explained Definitive guide to bleed: why 3mm is the global standard, the three zones of a print file (bleed, trim, safe), and step-by-step setup in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, and Affinity. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/print-bleed-explained ### Grammage Explained: GSM vs Pt Complete reference for paper weight — what GSM measures, typical grammages by product, GSM-to-Pt equivalents, US basis weight, and how to choose without ordering samples first. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/grammage-explained-gsm-vs-pt ### Paper Weight Chart: GSM to lb for Every Grade Full GSM-to-lb conversion table across Bond, Text, Cover, Index, Tag, and Bristol grades, with recommended weights by print product and a side-by-side comparison. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/paper-weight-chart-gsm-to-lb ### What Is Cardstock Weight? GSM, lb, and the Full Range Cardstock weight explained from 180 to 400 GSM — what each weight feels like, lb equivalents, and which to choose for business cards, postcards, and invitations. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/what-is-cardstock-weight ### 300 GSM to lb: Conversion for Every Paper Grade 300 GSM ≈ 111 lb Cover. Full conversion across Cover, Text, Bond, Index, Bristol, and Tag, plus what 300 GSM is used for and how thick it is in mm. URL: https://printimposition.com/tips/300gsm-to-lb-conversion ## Learning Hub A centralised hub linking all guides, tools, and tips for structured learning. URL: https://printimposition.com/learn ## Author Daniel Carter — 15+ years in commercial print production, prepress workflows, and graphic design. ## Partner ProofApproval.online — Online proofing and approval workflows for print and creative teams. URL: https://proofapproval.online ## Printing Terms - Bleed: Extra area beyond trim edge (typically 3mm) - Gripper Edge: Press holding area, cannot be printed (10-15mm) - Imposition: Arranging items on sheet for efficient printing - Trim Size: Final dimensions after cutting - GSM: Grams per square metre — standard paper weight measurement - Makeready: Setup waste sheets at start of print run ## Pages - [Calculator](/): Free print imposition calculator with visual preview for sheet and roll layouts - [Compare](/compare): Side-by-side comparison matrix for common items on standard press sheets - [Tips](/tips): Practical articles on print production techniques and common problems - [Learn](/learn): Structured learning hub linking all guides, tools, and tips - [Glossary](/glossary): 40+ print production terms defined for designers and print buyers - [About](/about): Who we are, our expertise, and why we built these tools - [Editorial Standards](/editorial-standards): Content accuracy standards and editorial process - [Terms of Service](/terms): Terms and conditions for using the website - [Privacy Policy](/privacy): How we handle data and user privacy - [GSM to lb Converter](/tools/gsm-converter): Free GSM to US basis weight converter with full paper weight chart - [Paper Weight Chart](/tips/paper-weight-chart-gsm-to-lb): Complete GSM-to-lb chart for Bond, Text, Cover, Index, Tag, Bristol - [What Is Cardstock Weight?](/tips/what-is-cardstock-weight): Cardstock weight from 180 to 400 GSM explained - [300 GSM to lb](/tips/300gsm-to-lb-conversion): 300 GSM converted across every US paper grade ## Contact Available via contact form on the website.