Dense books and catalogs
Tightly packed cartons of bound print products
48 × 40 × 36 in
Packaged weight: 2400 lb
- Cubic feet
- 40.00
- Density
- 60.00 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
50
Printed Materials LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Printed Materials
To estimate your shipment, use the Printed Materials Freight Class Calculator.
The Printed Materials Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 50 to 85.
These are density-based estimates.
Printed Materials density calculator
Calculate Your Printed Materials Freight Class
A palletized printed-material shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your printed materials freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
46.67
Density
43.93
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
55
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Printed Materials shipment examples
Printed Materials Freight Class Examples
These examples use packaged outside dimensions and the site’s density-to-class chart. They are examples only, not fixed classes for all printed materials shipments.
Brochures and forms
Flat printed pieces in uniform cartons
48 × 40 × 42 in
Packaged weight: 1900 lb
- Cubic feet
- 46.67
- Density
- 40.71 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
55
Light display materials
Posters, displays, and mixed campaign pieces
48 × 40 × 60 in
Packaged weight: 900 lb
- Cubic feet
- 66.67
- Density
- 13.50 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
Density-based
85
Printed Materials shipment comparison
Printed Materials Freight Class by Shipment Type
Printed materials are often dense, but freight class varies with trim size, carton fill, binding, display packaging, inserts, and whether materials ship flat, bundled, or in mixed campaign kits. Moisture and edge protection remain critical.
| Printed Materials shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Books and catalogs | Uniform cartons on a pallet | Very high | Usually stackable | Keep cartons dry and square. |
| Brochures and forms | Cartons or banded bundles | High | Usually stackable | Protect corners and printed faces. |
| Posters and display graphics | Tubes, flat packs, or crates | Medium | Limited | Prevent bending and surface rub. |
| Campaign kits | Mixed cartons with inserts | Medium | Limited | Label cartons and control void space. |
printed materials shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Printed Materials
The right service depends on printed materials size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Printed Materials shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Uniform book or catalog cartons | Standard LTL |
| Forms and brochure pallets | Standard LTL |
| Posters or display graphics | Protected LTL |
| Time-critical campaign materials | Expedited or dedicated service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled printed materials shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Printed Materials Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Printed Materials Packaging
- Use moisture-resistant cartons, shrink bundles, top sheets, corner boards, and rigid pallet caps.
- Pack books, catalogs, and forms tightly enough to prevent shifting without crushing spines or folded edges.
- Use tubes, flat packs, foam sheets, or custom crates for posters, signage, and display graphics.
Printed Materials Stackability
- Uniform book and catalog cartons are usually stackable when dry and compression-rated.
- Brochure and form pallets may accept top load when a rigid top board spreads pressure evenly.
- Treat poster tubes, display kits, mixed-height campaign cartons, and custom graphic crates as limited-stack.
Printed Materials Moisture, Edge, Version, and Surface Protection
- Protect printed faces, coated stocks, spines, corners, folds, perforations, and inserted components from rub and pressure.
- Prevent moisture exposure, carton collapse, ink transfer, warped sheets, crushed tubes, and mixed-version contamination.
- Document title or campaign, version, language, quantity, carton sequence, trim size, and delivery deadline.
Before Requesting a Printed Materials Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Printed Materials Shipment
- Measure after all cartons, bundles, tubes, crates, pallets, top boards, and moisture barriers are installed.
- Include carton bulges, tube projections, edge guards, top caps, and any display-piece overhang.
- Use the total packaged weight of printed materials, packaging, pallet, and securement.
Printed Materials Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished book-carton pallet, brochure load, poster-tube group, or campaign-kit shipment.
- Record the total packaged weight and carton count for the complete printed-materials shipment.
- State whether cartons are uniformly stackable or tubes, graphics, or mixed campaign kits require limited stack.
- Include photos of carton labels, printed edges, poster tubes, moisture wrap, top boards, and pallet securement.
- Confirm delivery deadline, inside delivery, liftgate, appointment, floor access, and version-control requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Printed Materials Shipment
Use the freight class, density, pallet, and linear-feet calculators to plan your packaged LTL shipment.
Freight Class Calculator
Estimate freight class from packaged dimensions, weight, and density.
Freight Density Calculator
Calculate cubic feet and pounds per cubic foot for packaged freight.
Pallet Freight Calculator
Plan pallet dimensions, shipment weight, density, and configuration.
Freight Linear Feet Calculator
Estimate trailer-space usage for pallets and non-stackable freight.
Freight classes shown on this page are density-based estimates for shipment planning. Actual classification may also depend on value, handling requirements, liability, stowability, dimensions, and other commodity-specific factors. Confirm the final freight class with your carrier, broker, or official NMFC resources before shipping. NMFC® is a registered trademark of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. FreightClassCalculator.tools is an independent calculator and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by NMFTA.