Compact printing press
Dense press body secured to a reinforced skid
72 × 48 × 54 in
Packaged weight: 3,500 lb
- Cubic feet
- 108.00
- Density
- 32.41lb/cu ft
Estimated class
60
60
Printing Press LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Printing Press
To estimate your shipment, use the Printing Press Freight Class Calculator.
The Printing Press Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 60 to 125.
These are density-based estimates.
Printing Press density calculator
Calculate Your Printing Press Freight Class
A crated production press is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your printing press freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
360.00
Density
15.28
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
70
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Printing Press shipment examples
Printing Press Freight Class Examples
These examples use finished outside dimensions and total packaged weight. They show how three realistic printing press shipment formats can produce different density-based class estimates.
Crated production press
Press, feeder, controls, and rollers protected together
120 × 72 × 72 in
Packaged weight: 5,500 lb
- Cubic feet
- 360.00
- Density
- 15.28lb/cu ft
Estimated class
70
70
Large printing press section
Long press module with protective clearance and no top load
144 × 72 × 78 in
Packaged weight: 3,500 lb
- Cubic feet
- 468.00
- Density
- 7.48lb/cu ft
Estimated class
125
125
Printing Press shipment comparison
Printing Press Freight Class by Shipment Format
Printing Press freight class can change with the concentrated weight, frame geometry, flywheels or hydraulic units, protective clearance, and rigging requirements. Use the finished packaged dimensions and total weight rather than the equipment's unpackaged size.
| Printing Press shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact printing press | Reinforced pallet or skid with blocking, restraint, and weather protection | Higher | Limited | Dense press body secured to a reinforced skid; this example calculates to 32.41 lb/cu ft and Class 60. |
| Crated production press | Framed crate with internal restraint and protection for controls and moving parts | Medium to higher | Possible with engineered crate | Press, feeder, controls, and rollers protected together; this example calculates to 15.28 lb/cu ft and Class 70. |
| Large printing press section | Elongated or oversized crate with structural bracing and protective clearance | Medium to lower | Usually non-stackable | Long press module with protective clearance and no top load; this example calculates to 7.48 lb/cu ft and Class 125. |
| Machine with power unit, controls, and auxiliaries | Main machine base plus separately blocked controls, guards, feeders, power equipment, and tooling | Varies | Usually limited | Concentrated weight and multiple pieces may require carrier review before pickup. |
Printing Press shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Printing Press
The appropriate service depends on finished dimensions, packaged weight, piece count, loading method, value, stackability, and whether specialized handling is required.
| Printing Press shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Compact printing press | LTL or volume service with weight and handling review |
| Crated production press | LTL or volume service with weight and handling review |
| Large printing press section | LTL or volume service with weight and handling review |
| Machine with power unit, controls, and auxiliaries | LTL, volume, partial truckload, or dedicated service after piece-count and handling review |
Heavy, long, high-value, non-stackable, multi-piece, or rigging-dependent printing press shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Printing Press Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Printing Press Packaging
- Use an engineered skid or base that distributes the concentrated load and preserves documented lift points.
- Lock rams, platens, slides, clamps, screws, flywheels, and other moving assemblies for transport.
- Protect controls, guards, hoses, fittings, tie bars, barrels, and precision surfaces from impact and contamination.
Printing Press Stackability
- Heavy presses and long production machines are normally non-stackable unless enclosed in engineered structural framing.
- Keep rigging points, fork pockets, center-of-gravity marks, and prohibited lift areas visible.
- Confirm floor loading and carrier equipment limits before tendering unusually concentrated freight.
Printing Press Fragility and Liability
- Prevent movement of heavy internal assemblies that could shift the center of gravity or damage alignment.
- Secure hydraulic power units, control cabinets, feeders, molds, dies, and auxiliary equipment as separate listed pieces.
- Review declared value, liability, and specialized handling for production-critical machinery.
Before Requesting a Printing Press Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Printing Press Shipment
- Measure after the printing press is secured and all pallet, skid, crate, framing, guards, and protective materials are complete.
- Include runners, saddles, legs, controls, fittings, attachments, overhang, and every projecting packaged component.
- Measure to the longest, widest, and tallest finished point and use the total tendered shipment weight.
Printing Press Freight Quote Checklist
- Record the finished packaged length, width, height, and total weight.
- State whether the shipment is stackable and whether top loading is prohibited.
- Include photos showing packaging, securement, labels, lift points, and exposed risk areas when practical.
- List detached controls, guards, accessories, tooling, fittings, and other separate pieces.
- Confirm forklift, dock, crane, rigging, liftgate, or specialized loading requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Printing Press 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.