Cylinder Circumference Calculator for Flexible Packaging
Enter your pouch repeat length to see which printing cylinder circumferences fit your press range, plus cylinder diameter, pouches per revolution and cylinder set cost. Prepared by YLTPACK, flexible packaging manufacturer.
Your pouch and press data
Your results
Repeats per cylinder
Pouch repeats around one cylinder, per lane, for the recommended option.
Cylinder circumference
Repeats x repeat length. Also the film length per revolution.
Cylinder diameter
Circumference divided by pi.
Cylinder set cost
Number of colors x cost per cylinder.
Pouches per revolution
Repeats x lanes across, for the full web.
Width per lane
Web width divided by lanes. Pouch width plus trim must fit in it.
Cylinders for the same design can often be reused for repeat orders. Please ask us how this applies to your project.
Feasible options
| Repeats (n) | Circumference | Diameter | Pouches per rev. | Set cost |
|---|
Unrolled cylinder surface
Flat view of the cylinder surface for the recommended option. The right edge wraps around to the left edge. Lanes are shown as rows.
How it's calculated
Formulas
- Circumference C = n x repeat length L, for n = 1, 2, 3 and so on.
- Only options where C is at least the minimum circumference and at most the maximum circumference are kept.
- Diameter D = C / pi.
- Cylinder set cost = number of colors x cost per cylinder.
- Pouches per revolution = n x lanes across. Film length per revolution = C.
- Recommended option: the largest feasible n, unless you enter a feasible target n, which then takes priority.
Default assumptions
- One cylinder per color, all with the same circumference.
- The circumference range of 450 to 1000 mm is a placeholder, please confirm with our press specs.
- Cost per cylinder of 150 USD is an example number and varies by size and region.
- Repeat length includes seals. Trim, register marks and gaps are not modeled.
- Other defaults are typical values, please confirm with your data.
How to use
Enter your pouch data
Fill in the repeat length, number of colors, web width and lanes. Switch between metric and imperial at any time.
Check the press range
Adjust the minimum and maximum cylinder circumference to match your press. Defaults are placeholders, please confirm with our press specs.
Review the options
Read the recommended option, compare the table and view the diagram. Results update as you type.
A worked example
Default values: repeat length 200 mm, circumference range 450 to 1000 mm, 8 colors, 150 USD per cylinder, web width 800 mm, 1 lane.
- Options: n = 3 gives 600 mm, n = 4 gives 800 mm and n = 5 gives 1,000 mm. n = 2 gives 400 mm, below the 450 mm minimum, and n = 6 gives 1,200 mm, above the 1,000 mm maximum.
- Recommended: n = 5, the most pouches per revolution inside the range.
- Diameter = 1,000 / pi = 318.3 mm (12.53 in).
- Set cost = 8 colors x 150 USD = 1,200 USD.
- Pouches per revolution = 5 x 1 lane = 5. Width per lane = 800 / 1 = 800 mm.
FAQ
Why does the repeat length matter for cylinder size?
Each cylinder circumference must hold a whole number of pouch repeats. If your repeat does not fit an available circumference, you may need to adjust the bag length or use a different cylinder size.
Can I reuse cylinders for repeat orders?
Cylinders for the same design can often be reused when the artwork and pouch size stay the same. Ask us how this applies to your project.
Are more repeats per revolution always better?
More pouches per revolution means more output per turn, but the right choice also depends on press limits and cylinder handling. Please confirm with our team.
What if my bag length does not fit the range?
Try a small change to the bag length or a different number of lanes. You can also ask us about a custom cylinder size.
How accurate is the cylinder cost estimate?
It multiplies your number of colors by the cost per cylinder you enter. Actual prices vary by size and region and are confirmed in your quotation.
Related tools
Have a project in mind?
Tell YLTPACK about your pouch size, structure and quantity, and we will prepare a quotation for you.
Get a Free QuoteResults are estimates for planning purposes. Final specifications and prices are confirmed in your quotation.