Well, it can get a little confusing.
backspace is the measurment from the inside lip of the rim, to the wheel mounting surface, and offset is the distance from the CENTER of the wheel, to the wheel mounting surface, or the centerline wheel "offset" from the wheel mounting surface.
A standard 8 inch rim is about 9 inches wide, lip to lip, so a 0 offset on a 8 inch rim is usually about 4.5 inch backspacing... (confusing huh)
SO, 12 mm offset on a 8 inch wheel, that measures about 9 inches would be about half and inch either way, depending on the offset being negative or positive, I am guessing you are going to end up with a 3.75-4.00" inch backspace.. might be just right, or you might be in for frame rubbing, just one way to know for sure!! Slap them puppies on!