Packaging Large Gatorboard / Ultraboard

[GrandImageInc]

Does anyone have any tips for packaging a 48x48 ultraboard print economically so that it can ship UPS or Fedex ground?

If it's absolutely not do-able, then what would you recommend as a maximum dimension for packaging UPS/Fedex Ground and how would you package?

Your help is MUCH appreciated!

Tamir

 

[Gino]

Welcome from PA........................

 

[MikePro]

in a box!

really tho', for shipping questions, I just Q&A my UPS delivery guy when he's at my shop everyday.

 

[GrandImageInc]

Thanks, Mike. Never thought of that approach.

 

[iprint]

Check their website for maximum package sizes. We regularly ship similar items out sandwiched in between either plywood or scrap 1/2" gator/ultraboard. If using plywood, either band it or shrinkwrap the crap out of it. If using gator/ultra, we have gotten away with packing tape around the centers and sealing up the edges. Make sure what you are sandwiching it with is a tad oversized.

 

[GrandImageInc]

Thanks, iprint. Do you think a standard 1/2" foamcore would work to use for packaging or should I pay up for the ultraboard?

 

[John Butto]

Go to Home Depot and buy yourself some masonite and 1x's and build a correct box for shipping where you won't worry it gets dropped.

 

[GrandImageInc]

John - do you think the masonite alone would be good to sandwich a single print? Have you done this with packaging tape or something?

 

[johnnysigns]

We use masonite occasionally and more often 5-6mm coroplast to line the carton on all sides so an impact won't break anything. We rarely send this stuff regular ground service though, it's almost always a courier or shipping company.

How far does it have to go?

 

[GrandImageInc]

Hi Johnny,

If you default to a shipping company, like fedex freight, do you default to a skid or do they simply take care if better than the ground guys. Looking for boston to NYC

 

[Pat Whatley]

Your biggest problem is going to be that the prints are 48" x 48". Your packaging needs to be a little oversized so that you've got protection all around. Since standard materials are only 48" wide you're looking at having to seam pieces together.

 

[darrell]

Tamir,
I've have packaged large format graphics and it can be a challenge. Get familiar with what is an Oversize and what is Dimensional Weight from UPS and FEDEX. If you have a flatbed cutter and want to use it to create your own custom box I offer to you a temporary membership for www.sweetcutspro.com it is designed for a cutter operator to enter dimensions and produce the box out of corrugated cardboard. Your customers will be impressed and it will make you stand out from the competition. I say this with regards to real customer feedback where the large format printing had become a commodity. Also a box-in-a-box with the inner box surrounded by foam corners works great also - at that size though poly bagging or cardboard sheets will work as the inside package (support the center by making a pad out of cardboard pieces).