EXHIBIT 12 CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Unaudited) 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (Thousands) Fixed Charges Interest costs (1) $18,071 $23,549 $25,314 $10,153 $ 9,929 Interest component of non-capitalized lease rental expense (2) 5,136 4,400 4,583 1,873 2,538 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges $23,207 $27,949 $29,897 $12,026 $12,467 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Earnings Earnings before income taxes $37,681 $13,716 $ 5,447 $10,207 $26,184 Income from less- than-fifty percent owned entity - - 45 - - ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total earnings as defined $37,681 $13,716 $ 5,492 $10,207 $26,184 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.6x 0.5x 0.2x 0.8x 2.1x (1) Includes amortization of financing costs. (2) One-third of rental expense, which approximates the interest component of non-capitalized leases.