PressBench is a free, in-browser imposition and estimating tool for small print shops. Enter a finished size, sheet, and quantity: it finds the best n-up layout (rotation and mixed orientations included), plans sheets with spoilage and makeready, prices the job digital and offset, shows the break-even, and produces a quote you can print for the customer. Not sure how the math works? Start with the imposition guide or the sheet size tables.
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Frequently asked questions
What does PressBench calculate?
PressBench works out how many finished pieces fit on a press sheet (the n-up count, including rotated and mixed-orientation layouts), how many sheets a run needs after spoilage and makeready waste, what the job costs on a digital press versus offset, the break-even point between the two, and a customer-ready quote with your markup, minimum, freight, and tax applied.
Is PressBench free?
Yes. Imposition, booklet math, the digital vs offset comparison, the cost build, the quantity ladder, the printable quote document, and CSV export are free with no account. Everything runs in your browser and your data stays on your device.
How is the n-up count calculated?
The finished size plus bleed on every edge gives the trim size. The sheet loses one gripper margin on one long edge and one side-guide margin on one short edge, and the remaining usable area is filled with trim-size pieces in a grid, trying upright, rotated, and mixed-orientation splits, keeping whichever yields the most pieces per sheet.
What is the digital vs offset break-even point?
It is the press-sheet count where offset's plate and makeready cost has been amortized enough that its lower run rate beats digital's click charge. PressBench states it in sheets, and also as impressions and finished pieces. When the digital click rate is at or below the offset run rate, offset never catches up and PressBench says so instead of showing a misleading number.
Does PressBench handle booklets?
Yes. Booklet mode rounds the page count up to a multiple of 4, converts pages to folded press sheets for saddle stitching (4 pages per sheet), multiplies by the booklet quantity, and warns about creep when the nested stack gets thick enough to matter at the face trim.
Where is my data stored?
In your browser only, using local storage with an IndexedDB mirror. Jobs, custom stocks, finishing operations, rate profiles, and saved quotes never leave your device, and you can download a JSON backup or restore one at any time.
Are the built-in rates accurate for my shop?
They are editable starting points, not vendor prices. Open the shop setup tab and set your own click rate, plate cost, makeready, labor rate, spoilage, minimum, and tax - every estimate uses your numbers, and each saved quote keeps a frozen snapshot of the rates it was priced with.