Compare landed cost per usable unit
A smaller pack can lower the invoice total while costing your shop more every time you reach for a sheet. Add the pack price and the shipping cost you assign to the pack. Divide by the number of usable items, after subtracting any known unusable units. Compare the resulting per-unit prices using the same currency and unit of measure. For print materials, that might mean one usable sheet, one envelope, or one finished label blank.
Use the amount you actually pay. A supplier might quote a case price where another quotes per ream. Convert both to the same underlying count before comparing them. If the new supplier changes dimensions or stock weight, check that your printer and finishing process accept the replacement. A lower unit cost is useful when the unit serves the same production need.
Worked example of a $44 pack that costs more
Your current supplier sells 500 sheets for $48. A $7 freight allocation makes the landed cost $55, so each sheet costs $0.1100. The new supplier sells 400 sheets for $44 and charges $5 in allocated freight. That lands at $49, or $0.1225 per sheet. You pay $6 less per pack but about 11.36% more per sheet.
If 20 sheets in the new pack arrive bent and cannot be returned or used, you have 380 usable sheets. At the same $49 landed cost, the effective cost rises to about $0.1289. Set the unusable count back to zero if the supplier sends replacements and your shop can use all 400 sheets for the same total cost.
| Scenario | Landed cost | Usable sheets | Cost per sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | $55 | 500 | $0.1100 |
| New | $49 | 400 | $0.1225 |
| New, 20 unusable | $49 | 380 | $0.1289 |
What to do with shared freight and pack changes
If the delivery contains several items, allocate freight consistently. An equal amount per case may work for identical cartons. Weight or volume may be a more useful basis for a mixed order if heavy or bulky stock drives the shipping charge. Write down how you allocated it, especially when two offers are close enough that a small freight assumption changes the result.
After deciding which offer is cheaper per usable item, consider the actual purchase your shop can make. A larger pack may tie up shelf space or cash, and a deadline may justify buying from the supplier who can deliver first. Use the unit comparison to understand the arithmetic and record the other purchase constraints separately.
Common comparison mistakes
- Comparing a pack of labels with a pack of label sheets. Convert both to the same sellable or usable unit.
- Mixing an introductory quote with a later price list. Record the date, quantity threshold, and freight terms you used.
- Comparing paper by price alone when sheet sizes differ. Calculate how many finished pieces each sheet yields for your layout before switching stock.
Frequently asked questions
Does the calculator convert currency?
Enter prices in USD on the same basis. Convert outside the calculator using the rate and fees relevant to the order.
Can I include a handling fee or duty?
Add fixed landed expenses to the shipping allocation. Apply the same convention to both offers and keep reimbursed amounts out of the comparison.
What if my current pack has zero landed cost?
The unit costs still compare. A percentage change from zero has no denominator, so the percentage is marked unavailable.
How should I compare hundreds of SKUs?
Match the old and new lists by stable supplier item code and check for changed pack quantities before calculating unit prices. Record discontinued and unmatched items separately for review.