Basics: Ton, Ream, and Sheets

In paper trading and printing, we usually buy big quantities by ton, but we sell or calculate jobs by reams and sheets.
One metric ton is 1,000 kilograms, so if you know how many kilograms your paper grade has per ream or per sheet, you can connect the ton to real usable pieces.​
A standard ream for most commercial papers is 500 sheets of the same size and GSM, so when we say “one ream”, we are talking about a fixed number of sheets, not just a random bundle.​
The key idea is:

• Ton = big weight (1,000 kg).

• Ream = fixed pack (usually 500 sheets).

• Sheets = the actual pieces you print on.
  In the next steps, we will connect these three levels with simple numbers so you can see exactly how many reams and sheets you get from one ton before you give any price.

 Step 1 – Convert Tons to Kilograms

The first step is the easiest one: converting tons into kilograms.
One metric ton is always 1,000 kilograms, so you only multiply the tons by 1,000 to get the weight in kg.​
Example:

• If you buy 1 ton of a certain paper, you actually have 1,000 kg.

• If you buy 2.5 tons, you have 2,500 kg.
  In the next step, we will connect these kilograms to the number of reams and sheets for a specific GSM and sheet size, so you can see how many usable pieces you really have.

Step 2 – From Kilograms to Reams and Sheets

To move from kilograms to reams and sheets, we must fix two things:

1. The GSM of the paper (weight per square meter).

2. The sheet size we are working with (for example 70 × 100 cm or 64 × 90 cm).​
   Every combination of GSM + sheet size gives a specific weight for one sheet.
   When we know the weight of one sheet, we can:

• Divide the total kilograms by the sheet weight to get number of sheets.

• Divide the number of sheets by 500 to get the number of reams (for standard 500‑sheet reams).​
  In the next example, we will choose one common size and GSM and show you the numbers step by step.

 Step 3 – Calculate Real Usable Sheets after Waste

Example – 1 ton, 70 × 100 cm, 80 gsm

1. First, calculate the area of one sheet in square meters:

• 70 × 100 cm = 0.7 × 1.0 m = 0.7 m² per sheet.

2. The weight of one sheet = area × GSM:

• 0.7 m² × 80 gsm = 56 grams per sheet.​

3. One metric ton is 1,000,000 grams (1,000 kg × 1,000).

4. Number of sheets from 1 ton = 1,000,000 ÷ 56 ≈ 17,857 sheets.

5. Number of reams (500 sheets per ream) = 17,857 ÷ 500 ≈ 35.7 reams.
   In practice, you will normally round down to 35 full reams plus a loose balance of sheets, and you should also keep some sheets aside as expected waste.

 Step 4 – Convert Ton Price into Ream Price

Now connect the ton price to a price per ream using the same example.
Assume the price of 1 ton of 80 gsm, 70 × 100 cm is 48,000 EGP.​
From Step 2, 1 ton gave us about 35.7 reams (17,857 sheets ÷ 500).
To get the price per ream, you divide the ton price by the number of reams:

• Ton price ÷ number of reams = ream price.

• 48,000 ÷ 35.7 ≈ 1,344 EGP per ream.
  Now you have a clear, logic‑based ream price that is directly linked to the real ton you bought, not just a guess

 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring GSM and sheet size and using one “fixed” ream price for everything, which makes some jobs lose money without you noticing.​

• Forgetting that one ton does not always give the same number of reams; it changes with every GSM and format.​

• Quoting clients using approximate numbers or old prices without re‑checking against the current ton price and yield.​

After you understand the logic, you do not have to repeat these calculations by hand every time. Inside your account on brotherhoodpaper.com, you will find a ready calculator where you only enter ton price, GSM, and sheet size, and it gives you the reams and sheet price automatically.
Create your free account now to unlock the calculator.