print-spine-paper-radar

Print & Paper Radar (print-spine-paper-radar) is a deterministic Model Context Protocol (MCP) server engineered for print production, graphic design, and book publishing workflows. It provides zero-hallucination mathematical engines for book spine thickness calculation (Amazon KDP, Couche, Offset), paper GSM & ream shipping weight, sheet imposition yield optimization, and TAPPI paper unit conversions.

Capabilities & Tools Included

1. calculate_book_spine_width

Calculates exact book spine thickness, wrap dimensions, and spine text eligibility for Amazon KDP, commercial offset, or hardcover bindings.

• Official Amazon KDP Caliper Specifications: White paper (0.002252 in/page), Cream paper (0.0025 in/page), Standard Color (0.00225 in/page), Premium Color (0.002347 in/page).

• Commercial Paper Grades: Couche Gloss (100, 120, 150 GSM), Couche Matt (150 GSM), Woodfree / Offset / Fort (70, 80, 100 GSM), and custom caliper inputs.

• Binding Styles: Paperback (perfect bound) vs. Hardcover (casebound with 3.175mm board allowance).

• Full Wrap Dimensions: Automatic canvas sizing calculation (Bleed + Back + Spine + Front + Bleed).

2. calculate_paper_weight_and_shipping

Calculates single sheet weight, ream (500 sheets) weight, total production shipment weight, and freight CBM for paper runs.

• Computes single sheet weight in grams based on metric sheet dimensions ($W \times H$) and GSM.

• Computes 500-sheet ream weight in kilograms.

• Computes gross shipping weight with 5% packaging tare.

• Computes freight volume in cubic meters (CBM) for ocean/air logistics planning.

3. calculate_sheet_imposition_yield

Computes maximum item yield, sheet area utilization, and trim waste when cutting small items from large parent press sheets.

• Compares normal vs. rotated 90° layout orientations.

• Accounts for bleed allowance and press gripper margins.

• Returns utilization percentage and trim waste percentage.

4. convert_paper_units

Performs authoritative ISO/TAPPI conversions between GSM, basis weight (Bond, Book/Text, Cover in lbs), and caliper thickness (points, microns, mils).

Related MCP server: InDesign MCP Server

Quick Start

Running directly via npx

npx -y print-spine-paper-radar

Claude Desktop Integration

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "print-spine-paper-radar": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "print-spine-paper-radar"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor Integration

In Cursor settings > Features > MCP Servers:

• Type: command

• Command: npx -y print-spine-paper-radar

Specification Authority & Verification

All calculations strictly adhere to:

• ISO 216: Trimmed paper sizes.

• TAPPI T410: Grammage of paper and paperboard (weight per unit area).

• Amazon KDP Print Publishing Standards: Official spine and cover calculation formulas.

License

MIT © datutu ceo@dottheworld.com