Understanding Freight Charges for Large or Unusual Print Orders

At StationeryHQ, we work hard to keep printing and shipping costs as transparent and affordable as possible. But occasionally, customers may see freight charges that seem unusually high—or simply unexpected.

In most cases, there’s a good reason for it.

Printing is unique because every order is different. Size, weight, packaging requirements, palletization, shipping destination, and even how a product is manufactured can all impact freight pricing.

The good news? If something looks unusual, we want you to reach out to us.

Why Freight Charges Sometimes Look High

Certain products are simply more expensive to ship than others. Common examples include:

• Large-format signage
• Foam board or mounted prints
• Bulk stationery orders
• Wire-O calendars
• Heavy paper stocks
• Oversized marketing kits
• Multi-box shipments
• Palletized freight deliveries

These products may require:

• Special packaging
• Freight carriers instead of standard UPS/FedEx
• Dimensional-weight pricing
• Protective handling
• Residential delivery surcharges
• Liftgate services for commercial delivery

In many cases, shipping costs are determined by the carrier—not by the print provider.

Dimensional Weight Can Surprise Customers

One of the biggest causes of “weird” freight charges is dimensional-weight pricing.

Carriers often charge based on:

• Package size
• Volume
• Pallet dimensions
  —not just actual weight.

For example, lightweight foam board signage can still be expensive to ship because the boxes are oversized and require special handling.

Multi-Location or Split Shipments

If your order ships to:

• Multiple offices
• Franchise locations
• Event venues
• Trade shows
• Individual team members

…the shipping total may increase because the order is being divided into multiple shipments.

Large Quantities May Require Freight Delivery

Some high-volume print orders cannot ship through normal parcel carriers and instead move via freight trucks.

Freight shipments may include:

• Pallet fees
• Commercial delivery scheduling
• Liftgate requirements
• Residential surcharges
• Limited-access delivery fees

These charges are common in commercial logistics but can look unfamiliar if you don’t regularly ship large print orders.

Please Reach Out If Something Looks Incorrect

If you ever see freight charges that:

• Feel unusually high
• Don’t seem to make sense
• Look different than expected
• Involve oversized or unusual products

please contact us before placing your order.

Our team is happy to:

• Review the shipment
• Check for better packaging options
• Explore alternate shipping methods
• Verify carrier calculations
• Help reduce unnecessary shipping costs when possible

In some situations, we can recommend adjustments that significantly lower freight pricing.

Custom Orders Often Need Manual Review

Large or unusual print jobs sometimes require custom freight planning, especially for:

• Trade show materials
• National marketing kits
• Corporate signage
• Bulk stationery fulfillment
• Multi-location campaigns

If you’re planning a complex project, reaching out early allows us to help optimize both production and shipping costs.

We’re Here to Help

At StationeryHQ, we understand that freight pricing can sometimes be confusing—especially with oversized or specialty print products.

Our goal is always to provide:

• Transparent pricing
• Reliable fulfillment
• Accurate shipping estimates
• Practical solutions for complex orders

If something about your freight charges seems unusual, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d much rather review an order beforehand than have a customer feel uncertain about shipping costs.

For custom print projects, large orders, or unusual fulfillment requirements, visit StationeryHQ.com and reach out to our team directly at info@stationeryhq.com. We’re always happy to help find the best solution for your project.