Cheapest Way to Ship Posters: Costs, Packaging & Setup Guide

Shipping posters might seem simple, but without the right approach, it can become expensive. Posters are delicate and prone to bending, creasing, or water damage, making secure packaging essential. Additionally, high shipping costs, especially for larger posters, can eat into profits. Choosing the right shipping service and packaging method is crucial for keeping costs low while ensuring safe delivery. In this guide, we’ll explore the cheapest way to ship posters, compare different shipping options, and show you how to set up affordable shipping solutions for WooCommerce and Shopify. Whether you’re selling art prints, promotional posters, or custom designs, this guide will help you optimize costs and streamline your shipping process.

Article Conatins

Best Packaging Methods: Poster Tubes vs. Flat Packaging
How to Ship a Rolled Poster
How to Ship a Framed Poster
Most Affordable Carrier Options for Posters
Other Services for Poster Shipping
Tips for Reducing Poster Shipping Costs
How to Ship Posters on Shopify
How to Ship Posters on WooCommerce
Conclusion
FAQs

Best Packaging Methods: Poster Tubes vs. Flat Packaging

The right packaging method ensures safe delivery while keeping shipping costs manageable. Usually, poster tubes and flat packaging are the two most preferred options, but let’s see which one would be the best choice based on cost and protection.

Poster Tubes

Poster tubes are the most common choice for shipping posters, especially for larger prints or artwork. They allow the poster to be rolled rather than folded, preventing creases and minimizing damage.

Pros:

Prevents bending and creasing during transit.
Durable and offers strong protection.
Suitable for large posters or prints that cannot be shipped flat.
Lightweight and easy to handle.

Cons:

A bulky shape can lead to higher dimensional weight charges with some carriers.
Some customers may prefer posters that are not rolled to avoid curling.

This type of packaging is best for Posters larger than 11” x 17”, especially artwork, blueprints, or delicate prints that should not be folded. For example, if a store sells movie posters (24” x 36”), a reinforced kraft tube with plastic end caps can prevent edge damage and ensure safe shipping.

Flat Packaging

Flat packaging is an alternative method that allows posters to be shipped unfolded, reducing the need for customers to flatten the poster upon arrival. However, this method requires additional reinforcement to avoid damage.

Pros:

Easier to store, stack, and transport.
It may qualify for lower shipping costs if it stays within carrier size limits.
Preferred by customers who want posters ready for framing.

Cons:

There is a higher risk of bending or folding if not properly reinforced.
Requires stiff backing (e.g., cardboard layers) to protect against damage.

This type of packaging is best for Small posters, prints, or posters that need to remain completely flat. For example, an artist selling 11” x 14” art prints may use rigid mailers with corner reinforcements to prevent creasing.

How to Ship a Rolled Poster

The best way to ship a rolled poster is by using a sturdy shipping tube instead of a box or poly mailer. This protects the poster from bending and creasing during transit.

Materials Needed

Sturdy shipping tube
Bubble wrap or foam padding for cushioning
Strong adhesive tape
White acid-free tissue paper for protection

Packing Steps

Wrap the Poster – Carefully roll the poster and wrap it in acid-free tissue paper to prevent scratches or ink transfer.
Add Cushioning – Place bubble wrap or foam padding at both ends of the tube to absorb shocks.
Secure the Tube – Insert the rolled poster into the tube and seal both ends with strong adhesive tape to keep it secure.

How to Ship a Framed Poster

Framed posters require extra care as they cannot be rolled. Without proper packaging, the frame or glass can easily get damaged during shipping. If possible, remove the glass and pack it separately. For large frames exceeding 36” x 36”, crating is recommended for added safety.

Materials Needed

Glass mask or surface protection tape
Packing tape (3-inch wide)
Foam corner protectors
Scissors
Two sturdy boxes (box-in-box method for extra protection)
Styrofoam packing peanuts

Packing Steps

Secure the Glass – If the poster is framed with glass, apply a protective film or glass masking tape to prevent shattering.
Protect the Corners – Attach foam corner protectors to prevent damage to the frame.
Use Double Boxing – Place the framed poster inside a box with packing peanuts, then place this box inside a slightly larger box for added protection.
Seal and Label – Secure all box openings with strong packing tape and label the package as “Fragile” to ensure careful handling.

By using the right packaging techniques, both rolled and framed posters can be shipped safely while minimizing the risk of damage.

Most Affordable Carrier Options for Posters

Different carriers offer affordable shipping services for posters, depending on factors like size, weight, and destination. Below is a comparison of cost-effective shipping options:

Carrier	Best Low-Cost Services	Ideal For
USPS	First-Class Mail, Ground Advantage, Media Mail (for educational posters)	Small, lightweight posters (under 1 lb)
UPS	UPS Simple Rate	Larger posters, bulk domestic shipments
FedEx	FedEx One Rate	Larger posters, bulk domestic shipments

Tips for Reducing Poster Shipping Costs

Shipping costs can quickly add up, especially for large or bulky items like posters. Implementing cost-saving strategies can help businesses lower expenses while maintaining packaging quality.

Minimize Dimensional Weight Charges

Shipping carriers charge based on dimensional weight, which considers the package’s size in addition to its actual weight.
Use the smallest possible tube or mailer that fits the poster without excessive empty space.
Flattened packages may qualify for lower shipping rates than bulky tubes, depending on the carrier.

Choose Standard-Sized Packaging

Avoid non-standard sizes that exceed carrier limits, as these often come with additional handling fees.
Use packaging that meets USPS, FedEx, or UPS standard size requirements to avoid surcharges.
It’s recommended to use FedEx, UPS, or USPS mailing tubes or flat-rate packaging, as these predefined box sizes help ensure your product fits within standard dimensions, avoiding unnecessary surcharges and keeping shipping costs optimized.

Compare Carrier Rates for Different Packaging Types

Some carriers charge more for tube shipments due to their non-standard shape. Others may offer better rates for flat packaging.
Compare shipping rates from UPS, USPS, and FedEx to determine the best option for your specific poster size and destination.
The standard mailing tube sizes include the FedEx Tube at 6″ x 6″ x 38″, the UPS Express Tube, which is triangular and 38″ long, and the USPS Medium Tube at 6″ x 6″ x 38″.
FedEx and UPS allow packages up to 150 lbs, while USPS has a 70 lbs limit. Choose the right tube based on your poster size, weight, and shipping rates.

Consider Bulk Shipping Discounts

Many carriers offer discounted rates for bulk shipments. If you frequently ship posters, look into business shipping accounts for reduced pricing.
WooCommerce and Shopify store owners can use shipping automation plugins like the WooCommerce Shipping Services plugin and the Shopify Multi Carrier Shipping Label App to integrate multiple carrier options and find the cheapest rate for each order.
These solutions help you pick the best box size and show real-time shipping rates at checkout for cost-effective shipping.

Reduce Packaging Weight

Avoid overpacking by using lightweight but sturdy materials.
Consider recycled kraft tubes or eco-friendly mailers to balance protection and cost savings.

How to Ship Posters on Shopify

Shopify store owners can efficiently ship posters by integrating a multi-carrier shipping label app, which automates rate calculations, label printing, and order tracking for various shipping services.

To start with the Multi carrier shipping label app in your Shopify store, follow this detailed guide.

By selecting the right carriers in the app’s settings, you can ensure accurate real-time shipping rates at checkout based on the poster’s size, weight, and destination.

You can select the tube packaging from different carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS in the package settings.

This app helps your customers get real-time rates at the checkout.

It also allows merchants to print shipping labels seamlessly.

How to Ship Posters on WooCommerce

WooCommerce store owners can efficiently ship posters by integrating the WooCommerce UPS Shipping Plugin and WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin, which automates rate calculations, label printing, and shipment tracking for various shipping methods.

To start with these plugins in your WooCommerce store, follow these setup guides:

You can select tube packaging in the UPS, FedEx, and USPS packaging settings to ship rolled items like posters and prints.

This plugin helps your customers get live shipping rates at checkout.

It also allows WooCommerce store owners to print shipping labels seamlessly.

In the same way, you can ship posters using USPS with the WooCommerce Shipping Services Plugin. Follow this detailed guide.

Conclusion

Shipping posters efficiently requires the right mix of secure packaging and cost-effective carrier selection. Whether you’re shipping rolled posters in tubes or framed prints in sturdy boxes, choosing the best method helps prevent damage and control shipping costs. For WooCommerce store owners, the WooCommerce UPS, FedEx, USPS plugin, and for Shopify store owners the Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App, can streamline their shipping process ensuring accurate packaging.

For additional support or inquiries, reach out to PluginHive Customer Support.

FAQs

What’s the Most Affordable Way to Ship Art Prints?

The cheapest way to ship art prints depends on their size, weight, and destination. For small, lightweight prints within the U.S., USPS First-Class Mail is an economical option. If the prints qualify as educational material, USPS Media Mail offers even lower rates. For larger or bulkier prints, comparing shipping rates from UPS and FedEx can help find the most budget-friendly choice.

Is It Cheaper to Ship a Tube or a Box?

Shipping a tube is often cheaper than a box because it eliminates excess space, reducing dimensional weight charges. However, some carriers may charge higher rates for non-standard shapes like tubes. To find the best option, compare rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx, considering both size and destination.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship Media?

USPS Media Mail is usually the most affordable option for shipping educational materials like CDs, DVDs, books, and digital recordings. It allows packages up to 70 lbs at low rates, though delivery can take 2-8 days. This service is best for cost savings but may not be ideal for urgent shipments.

How Can I Ship Large Posters?

Shipping large posters is best done using a mailing tube, which helps protect delicate prints, artworks, or posters that can be safely rolled. While this method comes with unique challenges, it ensures the poster arrives in pristine condition by minimizing creases and damage during transit.

Where Can I Get Mailing Tubes?

Mailing tubes are available from USPS, UPS, and FedEx. USPS provides free Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express tubes when using their shipping services, which can be ordered through the USPS Store. UPS offers shipping tubes that can be ordered online via the UPS Shipping Supplies page. FedEx also provides mailing tubes, which can be purchased at FedEx Office locations or checked through their Shipping and Packaging Supplies

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Cheapest Way to Ship Posters: Cost, Packaging & Setup for WooCommerce & Shopify