How to Print Shipping Labels in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve finally launched your WooCommerce store – congratulations! Now comes the exciting (but sometimes daunting) task of shipping orders. One of the first things you’ll need is a shipping label. Don’t worry, printing shipping labels in WooCommerce isn’t rocket science. This guide will walk you through the process, step-by-step, even if you’re a complete newbie.
Think of a shipping label like the address on an envelope you’d send to a friend. It tells the postal service (or other carrier) where to deliver your package and provides important tracking information. Without a proper label, your package might get lost or delayed – a nightmare for you and your customer! Let’s dive in.
Why Do You Need to Print Shipping Labels Directly from WooCommerce?
While you *could* manually type in all the information on a carrier’s website, printing labels directly from WooCommerce offers several key advantages:
- Saves Time: No more copying and pasting! Information like customer address, weight, and dimensions is automatically pulled from the order details. Save time and reduce manual errors.
- Reduces Errors: Manual entry is prone to mistakes. Automating the process minimizes the risk of typos in addresses, ensuring accurate delivery. Accuracy is key to happy customers.
- Streamlines Workflow: Shipping becomes a smoother part of your order fulfillment process. You can manage orders, print labels, and track shipments all in one place. Efficient workflow means you can focus on growing your business.
- Provides Tracking Information: Most plugins automatically update the order in WooCommerce with the tracking number, keeping you and your customer informed. Transparency builds trust!
- Usually free
- Direct integration with the carrier
- Limited to that specific carrier
- May require a business account with the carrier
- Shippo: A popular choice with a user-friendly interface and integration with many carriers.
- ShipStation: A robust platform designed for high-volume shippers.
- ELEX WooCommerce Multi Carrier Shipping Plugin: Offers advanced features and customization options.
- PluginHive WooCommerce Shipping Plugin: Another great option with a wide range of carrier integrations.
- Access to multiple carriers
- Rate comparison to find the best prices
- Advanced features like batch label printing
- Often requires a paid subscription
- Can be more complex to set up initially
- Accurate Weight and Dimensions: Incorrect weight or dimensions can lead to surcharges from the carrier. Invest in a good scale! A small difference can result in a significant charge.
- Printer Compatibility: Thermal label printers are ideal for shipping labels. They’re faster, more durable, and produce clearer labels than standard inkjet or laser printers.
- Paper Quality: Use label paper specifically designed for shipping. It’s more durable and resistant to water and tearing.
- Test Prints: Before printing a batch of labels, do a test print to ensure everything is aligned correctly. Always double-check!
- Label is blurry: Check your printer settings and ensure you’re using the correct paper type. Clean the print heads if necessary.
- Label won’t print: Make sure your printer is connected and that you have enough ink or toner. Check for any error messages on your printer or in WooCommerce.
- Shipping rates are incorrect: Double-check your plugin settings and ensure you’ve entered accurate weight and dimensions for your products.
Imagine you’re selling handmade soaps. You just received 10 orders. Manually entering the address and weight for each order would take ages! Using a WooCommerce shipping label plugin can save you hours.
How to Print Shipping Labels: Two Main Approaches
There are two primary ways to print shipping labels in WooCommerce:
1. Using a Shipping Carrier’s Official Plugin: Many carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL offer official plugins for WooCommerce.
2. Using a Multi-Carrier Shipping Plugin: These plugins connect to multiple carriers, offering more flexibility and often better rates.
Let’s look at both.
Option 1: Using Official Carrier Plugins
These plugins are usually free and provided directly by the shipping carrier. They offer a direct integration with their systems.
Example: Printing USPS Shipping Labels
1. Install the USPS WooCommerce Plugin: Search for “USPS WooCommerce” in the WordPress plugin repository and install it. Activate the plugin.
2. Configure the Plugin: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > USPS. You’ll need to enter your USPS account details (if you have one) and configure your preferred settings like box sizes and service types.
3. Process the Order: When you receive an order, go to WooCommerce > Orders. Click on the order you want to ship.
4. Generate the Label: You should see a section related to the USPS plugin. Enter the package weight and dimensions. The plugin will calculate the shipping cost Check out this post: How To Edit Woocommerce_Cart and allow you to purchase and print the label.
5. Print the Label: Download the label as a PDF and print it using your printer. Make sure to use a thermal label printer for best results.
Pros:
Cons:
Option 2: Using a Multi-Carrier Shipping Plugin
These plugins act as a bridge between your WooCommerce store and multiple shipping carriers. They often offer features like rate comparison, batch label printing, and more.
Examples of Popular Multi-Carrier Plugins:
Example: Using Shippo
1. Install Shippo: Search for “Shippo” in the WordPress plugin repository and install it. Activate the plugin.
2. Connect to Your Carriers: Create a Shippo account (if you don’t already have one) and connect your carrier accounts (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.).
3. Configure Settings: Set up your default package sizes, shipping locations, and other preferences in the Shippo settings.
4. Process the Order: Go to WooCommerce > Orders. Click on the order you want to ship.
5. Generate the Label: Shippo will automatically calculate shipping rates for different carriers. Choose your preferred option and purchase the label.
6. Print the Label: Download the label as a PDF and print it.
Pros:
Cons:
Important Considerations Before You Print
Before you hit that “Print” button, keep these things in mind:
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Conclusion
Printing shipping labels in WooCommerce doesn’t have to be a headache. By choosing the right plugin and paying attention to detail, you can streamline your shipping process and keep your customers happy. Remember to weigh your options between official carrier plugins and multi-carrier plugins based on your business needs. Good luck, and happy shipping!
