Shipping costs can make a big difference in the total price of a print order. At Printkeg, we work hard to offer discounted shipping methods and simple flat-rate options to help keep costs manageable. This guide explains our shipping choices, how they work, and which option may be best for your order.
We do not mark up shipping to create extra profit. Instead, we pass along discounted rates whenever possible and offer a mix of affordable and expedited delivery services based on your budget, package weight, and timeline.
Flat Rate Shipping for Print Orders
Our flat-rate shipping options are designed to help customers spend less on shipping.
- Under $100 = $10 flat-rate shipping
- $99 to $199.99 = $14 flat-rate shipping
- $200 to $299.99 = $19 flat-rate shipping
- $300 plus = $29 flat-rate shipping
- UPS and USPS services are also available beyond flat-rate options
These rates are discounted to help keep shipping costs low. In many cases, flat-rate shipping offers significant savings compared to standard carrier pricing. When you choose a flat shipping rate, our shipping team selects the most economical delivery method available for your package.
This may include UPS Ground or USPS services such as Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, or First Class when applicable. The shipping method is selected at our discretion based on package weight, size, and destination.
If your order is urgent, flat-rate shipping may not be the best option. It is intended to provide value, not guaranteed speed.
Flat Rate vs UPS & USPS Shipping Methods
Each shipping service has different strengths. Some are better for lightweight packages, some work better for heavier boxes, and some are best when your delivery deadline cannot be missed. Below is a breakdown of the main shipping methods available for print orders.
USPS Priority Mail
A popular and affordable expedited option for lightweight print orders.
USPS Priority Mail is often one of the best values for lighter packages. During checkout, this option may appear as Priority Mail 2-Day or Priority Mail 3-Day. For lightweight shipments, it can sometimes cost less than flat-rate shipping while still offering relatively fast transit.
That said, USPS does not guarantee these delivery windows. Even if the service says “2-Day,” it may still arrive later. In our experience, USPS Priority Mail works best for customers who want a balance of speed and cost but do not have an extremely strict deadline.
For heavier packages or time-sensitive orders, USPS Priority Mail is usually not the most practical choice.
USPS Ground Advantage
The least expensive option for many lightweight packages, but usually the slowest.
USPS Ground Advantage is typically the cheapest shipping method for packages under one pound. If your cart weighs less than 16 ounces, this option may appear during checkout.
While USPS may describe this service as fast, our experience is that delivery often takes one or two weeks and sometimes longer depending on the destination. USPS does not guarantee transit times for this service.
Ground Advantage can be a good option when keeping shipping costs low matters more than fast delivery. At this time, we only offer it to the forty-eight contiguous states.
UPS Ground
A reliable and practical shipping method for heavier print packages.
UPS Ground is one of the best choices for heavier shipments. Once a package reaches around fifteen pounds, UPS Ground often becomes much more economical than USPS Priority Mail.
It is also a strong option for customers located closer to us on the East Coast, where transit times can be surprisingly fast. Many customers still choose flat-rate shipping for the savings, but UPS Ground is often the better choice when you want a more predictable delivery window for a heavier order.
UPS 3-Day Select
A strong coast-to-coast option when you need reliable delivery faster than ground service.
UPS 3-Day Select can be a smart upgrade for customers on the West Coast who want faster delivery without paying for overnight service. It provides a more dependable transit window than many non-guaranteed services.
If you are located in the central or eastern United States, UPS Ground may already reach you within a similar time frame, so this option may not always be worth the added cost.
UPS 2-Day Air
A premium choice when your deadline is important and reliability matters.
UPS 2-Day Air is a much more dependable option than USPS Priority Mail when a shipment needs to arrive on schedule. If your order ships on Tuesday, there is a very strong chance it will arrive on Thursday anywhere in the United States.
Many customers compare this option with USPS Priority 2-Day because USPS is usually less expensive. However, UPS generally offers more reliable transit times and stronger guarantees, making it a better fit for deadlines that cannot be missed.
Before selecting UPS 2-Day Air, it is worth checking whether UPS Ground would already deliver within two days to your location.
UPS Next Day Air
The best option for guaranteed next-business-day delivery.
UPS Next Day Air is the fastest shipping service we offer. We typically use UPS Next Day Air Saver, since most customers do not need delivery at a specific morning time.
If you need an early delivery window, contact customer service before ordering. Availability and pricing for morning delivery vary by region. Please note that standard next-day services do not deliver on Saturdays or Sundays.
FedEx Ground
Used occasionally for select outsourced print products.
Some outsourced products, such as wrapped canvas, 3x3 cards, outdoor banners, and business cards, may ship through FedEx Ground or UPS Ground. This can happen even if you selected USPS Priority or another shipping method at checkout.
This is uncommon, but it may be necessary depending on the product type and production partner handling the order.
Which Shipping Method Is Best for Your Order?
- Best for saving money: Flat-rate shipping
- Best for lightweight packages: USPS Priority Mail or USPS Ground Advantage
- Best for heavy packages: UPS Ground
- Best for tight deadlines: UPS 2-Day Air or UPS Next Day Air
- Best for guaranteed next-business-day delivery: UPS Next Day Air
Final Shipping Analysis
For lightweight packages, USPS is often the least expensive option. The tradeoff is that USPS transit times are not guaranteed, and delivery reliability can vary from one shipment to another.
UPS is typically the better choice for heavier packages and customers who want more consistent tracking and transit performance. UPS Ground is reliable for standard shipments, while UPS 2-Day Air and UPS Next Day Air are strong options when speed matters most.
Flat-rate shipping remains one of the best ways to save money on print orders. When selected, we choose one of the most cost-effective delivery methods available, usually USPS Ground Advantage, USPS Priority Mail, or UPS Ground.
One advantage USPS still has is that Saturdays are counted as transit days, which can help some packages arrive sooner without requiring a premium upgrade.
Important Shipping Notes
We offer different UPS and USPS solutions for Canadian and other international orders.
Flat-rate shipping is not available in all areas, including Canada, Ireland, the UK, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska. Alternative shipping methods may still be available for those destinations.
Recipients outside the domestic United States may be responsible for import charges or customs fees.
Flat-rate shipping may not be available for custom orders or very large orders that cannot be processed through our website because of weight or packaging restrictions.
If your shipment requires more than one large box or an extra tube, we may need to contact you about additional shipping charges. This is most common when expedited services such as UPS Next Day Air or UPS 2-Day Air are selected.
Important Message About Shipments Requiring Multiple Boxes
We work hard to keep shipping prices as low as possible. If the shipping cost seems high, the most common reason is that your order must ship in more than one package.
For example, large posters usually ship in tubes, while smaller prints often ship in flat boxes. If your order contains both large posters and smaller print products, the shipping cost may reflect two separate packages rather than one.
Shipping costs for bulk orders may also be less accurate online. Orders worth thousands of dollars are often much heavier and require more boxes than a standard shipping calculator can account for. If extra shipping charges are necessary, we will let you know before printing begins.
Customer Experience
“We love Printkeg and always have a good experience. Our last order got lost for awhile by USPS despite paying for priority mail and after a week or so when we contacted Printkeg they replaced the order with no complaints and it came fast and well done. We're loyal customers. Thanks.” – Mat
Shipping FAQ
What is flat-rate shipping?
Flat-rate shipping means you pay a fixed shipping amount based on your order total rather than a carrier’s full calculated rate. It is designed to keep shipping simpler and more affordable for many print orders.
Is flat-rate shipping the fastest option?
No. Flat-rate shipping is focused on savings, not speed. If your order has a strict deadline, UPS 2-Day Air or UPS Next Day Air may be better choices.
Is USPS or UPS better for print orders?
USPS is often more affordable for lightweight packages, while UPS is usually more reliable for heavier shipments and time-sensitive orders.
Why is my shipping cost higher than expected?
Your order may require multiple boxes, a mailing tube plus a flat box, a heavier package, or a destination that does not qualify for flat-rate shipping.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes. Orders of $100 or more qualify for free shipping under our current flat-rate structure.
