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Small Parcel & Freight Shipments

Getting ready to print but worried about how to handle your shipment?? This important but often overlooked part of the order process will help you plan ahead for the big day when your order arrives. In most cases, your order will arrive one of two ways: as a small parcel shipment or as a freight shipment. If you’re shipping to multiple locations, your order may even use both methods. So, what is the difference between these two types of shipments and what can you expect with each?

Small Parcel Shipments

Small parcel shipments will arrive to you as individual boxes, just like other UPS shipments you’ve probably received before. Your boxes will not be combined on a pallet, so there’s no need for specialized warehouse equipment. Small parcel deliveries are most commonly used for small-volume shipments, but this can depend on the specifications of your order. Expedited shipments are always delivered as small regardless of volume. All orders produced from our domestic print facility will arrive as a small parcel shipment. Some important details to keep in mind with small parcel shipments are:

  • Signatures are not required for small parcel deliveries

  • Our carriers are not able to deliver inside for small parcel shipments

  • Deliveries cannot be scheduled for small parcel shipments

Example of a Small Parcel Tracking Number: 1Z2E27010361640696 (UPS Ground)

Please be sure to plan accordingly for receiving your delivery once a tracking number has been issued for your order. 

Freight Shipments

Freight shipments will arrive on the back of a large truck as multiple boxes packed and wrapped on top of pallets. Depending on the volume of your order, you may receive multiple pallets. For residential deliveries, the large trucks that deliver the order will have lift gates so that pallets can be safely lowered to the street.  

Lift gates are not needed for delivering to a loading dock, so trucks bound for commercial addresses may not be equipped with them.  While we at PrintNinja always do our best to determine what type of truck will be needed for your final delivery, it’s always a good idea to let your account manager know as soon as possible if your shipping address has special requirements for receiving freight. Some important details to keep in mind with freight shipments are:

  • If your location will require a lift gate, inside delivery must be requested in advance. Otherwise, the delivery driver is only responsible for removing your pallets from the truck and placing them at your driveway, curb, or other equivalent at your location. Additional pallet jacks can also be requested in advance.

  • Our carrier will contact you ahead of time to schedule a date and rough window of time for delivery. Once a tracking number has been issued for your freight shipment, be sure to keep your phone handy so they can reach you to avoid delays in delivery.

  • Signatures are required for delivery. Make sure you or someone you trust can be available for receiving the order on the day of delivery. If someone other than yourself is receiving the delivery, please be sure to send all contact details to your account manager as far ahead of delivery as possible.

  • Be sure to plan ahead so you can move your project to where you’ll be storing it—ideally a safe, dry, climate-controlled location. One pallet of books or games can weigh over 1,000 lbs, so you won’t be able to move them without specialized equipment. For most customers, the easiest and safest option is to remove the plastic from each pallet and then move the individual boxes. Delivery drivers can’t assist with this part of the process, so you might want to have extra help on hand if you have a large order. Tools like box cutters, carts, or dollies will also come in handy. Depending on your project specs, one box can weigh as much as 26 lbs so be careful, and always use safe lifting techniques.

  • The carrier delivering your freight will vary based on your location and current shipping rates. Besides UPS, most freight carriers do not have real-time online tracking. In cases where other shippers are delivering your order, you will still receive advance notice of delivery, but it will be important to stay in touch with your Account Manager so they can contact the shipper on your behalf for updates.

Example of a Freight Tracking Number: 381874313 (UPS Freight)

Please be sure to plan for receiving your freight order in advance in order to avoid any delays in delivery.

This information should help provide a good idea of what to expect for the delivery of your order, but planning ahead for your Printninja shipment can help guarantee a smooth delivery process. Be sure to discuss any questions, concerns, or special delivery requirements with your assigned account manager as early as you can during the order process.