Exhibit 12.1 Appleton Papers Inc. and Subsidiaries Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (unaudited) 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 ----------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ Net earnings from continuing operations $ 134,009 $ 129,651 $ 82,813 $ 49,893 $ 70,812 Add: Income tax expense 70,387 70,611 53,716 17,715 35,725 Add: Interest expense 27,235 30,931 60,215 42,926 43,244 Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries 1,149 1,237 5,493 4,896 1,230 Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates (5,531) 46 (7,313) - - Portion of rent deemed interest factor 3,721 3,993 3,878 3,448 3,394 ----------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ Total earnings available for fixed charges $ 230,970 $ 236,469 $ 198,802 $ 118,878 $ 154,405 =========== ============= ============ ============ ============ Fixed charges: Interest expense 27,235 30,931 60,215 42,926 43,244 Portion of rent deemed interest factor 3,721 3,993 3,878 3,448 3,394 ----------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ Total fixed charges $ 30,956 $ 34,924 $ 64,093 $ 46,374 $ 46,638 =========== ============= ============ ============ ============ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 7.5 6.8 3.1 2.6 3.3 =========== ============= ============ ============ ============ Nine Months Ended ------------------------------ October 1, September 30, 2000 2001 ------------ -------------- Net earnings from continuing operations $ 63,346 $ 41,827 Add: Income tax expense 31,911 16,952 Add: Interest expense 31,446 22,815 Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries 1,230 - Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates - - Portion of rent deemed interest factor 2,506 2,160 ----------- ------------- Total earnings available for fixed charges $ 130,439 $ 83,754 =========== ============= Fixed charges: Interest expense 31,446 22,815 Portion of rent deemed interest factor 2,506 2,160 ----------- ------------- Total fixed charges $ 33,952 $ 24,975 =========== ============= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.8 3.4 =========== =============