2

Units of paper quantity

We occasionally get asked about units of paper quantity for print orders; what is a ream of paper?, what is a short ream?… here’s a simple guide to the industry standard units of paper quantity –

Writing paper measurements
25 sheets = 1 quire
500 sheets = 20 quires = 1 ream
1,000 sheets = 40 quires = 2 reams = 1 bundle
5,000 sheets = 200 quires = 10 reams = 5 bundles = 1 bale

‘Short’ paper measurements
24 sheets = 1 ‘short’ quire
480 sheets = 20 ‘short’ quires = 1 ‘short’ ream
960 sheets = 40 ‘short’ quires = 2 ‘short’ reams = 1 ‘short’ bundle
4,800 sheets = 200 ‘short’ quires = 10 ‘short’ reams = 5 ‘short’ bundles = 1 ‘short’ bale

Posters and printing measurements
516 sheets (= 21½ ‘short’ quires) = 1 printer’s ream
1,032 sheets = 2 printer’s reams = 1 printer’s bundle
5,160 sheets = 5 printer’s bundles = 1 printer’s bale

Cover and Index paper
250 sheets = 1 ream

If still in doubt, best ask your designer or printer to clarify before you order.