To calculate the surface area of a right rectangular prism, we can use the formula:
\[ \text{Surface Area} = 2(lw + lh + wh) \]
where \( l \) is the length, \( w \) is the width, and \( h \) is the height.
Given the dimensions:
- \( w = 12 \) in
- \( l = 18 \) in
- \( h = 8 \) in
We can plug these values into the formula:
- Calculate \( lw \):
\[ lw = 18 \times 12 = 216 \text{ in}^2 \]
- Calculate \( lh \):
\[ lh = 18 \times 8 = 144 \text{ in}^2 \]
- Calculate \( wh \):
\[ wh = 12 \times 8 = 96 \text{ in}^2 \]
Now, sum these areas:
\[ lw + lh + wh = 216 + 144 + 96 = 456 \text{ in}^2 \]
Finally, multiply by 2 to find the total surface area:
\[ \text{Surface Area} = 2 \times 456 = 912 \text{ in}^2 \]
Thus, the surface area of the right rectangular prism is \( \boxed{912} \) square inches.