How to Print Packing Slips in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Welcome, WooCommerce newbie! Shipping products is a vital part of running an online store. And a well-prepared packing slip is like a friendly guide for your customer, warehouse staff, and even you! This article will walk you through how to easily print packing slips directly from your WooCommerce store, even if you don’t have a coding background. We’ll cover both built-in options and plugins, keeping things simple and actionable.
Think of a packing slip like this: Imagine you ordered a new gadget online. Wouldn’t it be helpful to see a list inside the box, confirming exactly what you ordered, how many of each item, and maybe even the order number? That’s the purpose of a packing slip – to ensure accuracy and provide a clear record of what’s inside.
Why Are Packing Slips Important?
Packing slips are more important than you might think! They offer several key benefits:
- Reduces Errors: Packing slips help your staff accurately pick and pack the correct items, reducing the risk of sending the wrong product or quantity.
- Improves Customer Satisfaction: A clearly labelled package and packing slip ensures your customers receive what they expect, leading to happier customers and fewer returns. Imagine receiving a package with no indication of what’s inside!
- Streamlines Your Workflow: They act as a checklist for your warehouse or fulfillment team.
- Provides Documentation: Serves as a record of the order details for both you and your customer.
- Professionalism: It adds a professional touch to your business.
- This method prints the entire order details page, which includes information you might not want on a packing slip (like customer billing address if you have them in your system, unless you’re drop-shipping).
- It’s not formatted specifically as a packing slip.
- It’s manual – you need to do this for each order individually.
- Customizable Layouts: Control what information is included and how it’s displayed.
- Bulk Printing: Print packing slips for multiple orders at once.
- Company Logos: Add your branding to the packing slip.
- Barcode Support: Generate barcodes for easy scanning.
- PDF Generation: Save packing slips as PDF files for archiving or emailing.
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Search for “Print Invoice & Packing list for WooCommerce.”
- Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
- After activation, you’ll usually find a new menu item under WooCommerce settings (e.g., WooCommerce > Invoice/Packing List).
- Go to this settings page and configure the plugin to your preferences. Key settings to consider:
- Basic Settings: Define the information to include (order number, customer name, address, product details, etc.).
- Display Settings: Customize the appearance of the packing slip (font, colors, logo, etc.).
- Document Settings: How the document is generated or downloaded.
- Go to WooCommerce > Orders.
- Click on the order you want to print a packing slip for.
- You should now see a “Print Invoice/Packing List” option on the order details page (or in the “Order actions” section).
- Click this button to generate and print the packing slip.
- Some plugins allow you to Discover insights on How To Remove The Shopping Cart From Woocommerce select multiple orders and then use a bulk action to print packing slips for all of them at once. This can save you a lot of time if you process many orders daily.
Method 1: WooCommerce Order Details (Basic, Built-in)
WooCommerce itself offers a basic way to print order details, which can function as a very simple packing slip. This method is suitable if you have a small number of orders and don’t need anything fancy.
Here’s how:
1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to WooCommerce > Orders.
3. Click on the order you want to print a packing slip for.
4. Look for the “Order actions” section (usually on the right side of the screen).
5. You might find a “Print order” option or a “Print invoice” option. This will open a printable version of the order details. If not, proceed to next steps.
6. Select all the order details with your mouse cursor, then right click the highlighted text and select the “print” option.
7. Use your browser’s print function (usually Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to print the page.
Limitations:
Method 2: Using a WooCommerce Packing Slip Plugin (Recommended)
The most efficient and customizable way to print packing slips in WooCommerce is by using a dedicated plugin. Many plugins offer advanced features like:
Here’s how to get started with a packing slip plugin (example using “Print Invoice & Packing list for WooCommerce,” a popular free option):
1. Install and Activate the Plugin:
2. Configure the Plugin Settings:
3. Printing Packing Slips:
4. Bulk Printing (if supported by the plugin):
Example using code (for advanced customization – proceed with caution!):
If you want REALLY granular control, you might explore customizing the plugin templates directly using code. However, always back up your website before making any code changes!
<?php // Example: Modifying the "Print Invoice Check out this post: Woocommerce How To Add Note To Shop Pages & Packing list for WooCommerce" plugin (child theme recommended!)
// Add a custom field to the packing slip (requires understanding of the plugin’s template structure)
add_action( ‘wpo_wcpdf_before_item_meta’, ‘custom_packing_slip_field’, 10, 4 );
function custom_packing_slip_field( $template_type, $item, $order ) {
if ( $template_type == ‘packing-slip’ ) {
// Get a custom field value from the product meta
$custom_field_value = get_post_meta( $item[‘product_id’], ‘_my_custom_field’, true );
if ( ! empty( $custom_field_value ) ) {
echo ‘
Custom Field: ‘ . esc_html( $custom_field_value ) . ‘
‘;
}
}
}
?>
Important Considerations when working with code:
* Backups! – always create a website backup prior to modifying code.
* Child Themes: Create a child theme for any customisation so you can easily update themes.
* Check Plugin Docs: Check the documentation for the plugin you are modifying.
* Use a Code Editor: Use a proper code editor to minimise errors.
Important Note: The exact steps and settings may vary slightly depending on the specific plugin you choose. Consult the plugin’s documentation for detailed instructions.
Choosing the Right Plugin
There are many excellent WooCommerce packing slip plugins available. Here are a few popular options (both free and paid):
- Print Invoice & Packing list for WooCommerce (Free): A good starting point with basic features.
- WooCommerce Learn more about How To Add General Avatar For Those Without Pics Woocommerce PDF Invoices & Packing Slips (Free and Paid): Offers advanced customization options and PDF generation.
- Advanced Shipment Tracking for WooCommerce (Paid): Includes packing slip features along with shipment tracking tools.
- Order Printer for WooCommerce (Free): Simple plugin for printing orders with few configuration options.
Consider your budget, the number of orders you process, and the level of customization you need when choosing a plugin. Start with a free option and upgrade if you require more advanced features.
Conclusion
Printing packing slips in WooCommerce is crucial for efficient order fulfillment and customer satisfaction. While the built-in method offers a basic solution, using a dedicated plugin is highly recommended for customization, automation, and professional results. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating clear and informative packing slips that streamline Read more about How To Customize The Grid For Woocommerce Products your shipping process and keep your customers happy. Good luck!
