Copy paper purchasing planner

Planning paper by sheets, reams and cartons

Schools may track sheets printed, reams consumed or cartons ordered. These units are not equivalent. Common copy paper is packaged 500 sheets per ream, but the number of reams per carton can vary. Enter the actual product pack information rather than assuming a carton always contains a particular quantity.

What the worksheet estimates

The spreadsheet records departments and locations, monthly estimated sheets, planning months, sheets per ream, reams per carton and usable on-hand reams. It calculates estimated reams needed and the number of cartons needed after existing stock is considered. It intentionally does not estimate price without an entered cost.

Collect realistic usage information

1. Check previous purchasing records, printer counts or copier reports where available.
2. Separate regular administrative printing from testing, events, parent communication and seasonal mailings.
3. Check existing paper stock in storage rooms and classroom closets to avoid counting it twice.
4. Review paper size, brightness, weight, recycled-content requirements and printer compatibility.
5. Use the resulting quantities as a planning estimate before obtaining current prices and confirming delivery locations.

Example: why cartons must be defined

Two cartons containing different numbers of reams cannot be compared by price per carton alone. Record the sheet count and reams per carton, then compare total sheets and effective cost per ream. Your district may also want to distinguish letter, legal, and specialty paper.

See Paper & Writing Pads or Office Supplies on BulkSupply.com and use the bulk savings calculator to compare properly normalized quantities.

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