This article provides an overview of the three primary options for printing labels through SolidShip. It highlights the benefits and limitations of each option. Many clients find that using a combination of methods works best for their unique business needs.
What we'll cover:
- Printing a Single Label Using an Order Number or SKU
- Printing Using a Barcode Scanner
- Bulk Printing
- How SolidShip Updates the Order Status
- Related Articles
Printing a Single Label Using an Order Number or SKU
You can quickly print individual shipping labels by pasting an order identifier into SolidShip. The most commonly used identifiers are: Market Order Number, SC Sale ID, SKU, or UPC.
While it possible to pick items after you print labels, most people pick their items first and then print their labels.
Benefits:
- Flexible.
- Relatively fast.
Limitations:
- Some customers have achieved high levels of speed and efficiency using this method. However, it is generally not as automated or fast as the bulk printing and barcode scanning methods.
You Are a Good Fit If:
- You cannot create Shipping Rules to accommodate all of your needs.
Before you resort to using the overrides in SolidShip, we recommend trying to create Shipping Rules to automate as much of your label printing as possible. Most people find they can create Shipping Rules to completely automate their shipping. See Creating Shipping Rules to Automate Your Shipping for more information.
- You only need to print a few labels, possibly to supplement other printing methods.
- You want oversight and control over every order.
You May Not Be a Good Fit If:
- You want to maximize automation and speed.
- You want to minimize mistakes during shipping.
For complete instructions, see Printing Labels Through SolidShip Using Order Numbers or SKUs.
Printing Using a Barcode Scanner
This method is ideal if you pick your items before printing labels. We recommend printing a pick list or packing slips with storage locations to help you pick.
After picking your items, you scan your barcodes through SolidShip to print shipping labels. You can scan the barcode on the product's packaging, or on the paper pick lists or packing slips you print out of your Solid Commerce account. If you choose, you can enable the Products Confirmation window to verify the order before printing a label.
Benefits:
- High degree of accuracy.
SolidShip will generate an error message if you scan an item that is not part of a Paid order.
- Fast and efficient.
- Don't need to organize items as you pick or ship them.
- Works well with multiple item orders.
- Shipping Rules are not necessary.
We still recommend that you try creating Shipping Rules to help automate label printing. However, you can easily use the shipping method overrides in SolidShip instead.
Limitations:
- Must have a barcode scanner.
You Are a Good Fit If:
- You pick your items before printing shipping labels.
- You need to weigh each order as you ship it.
You May Not Be a Good Fit If:
- If bulk printing better suits your needs.
For details and instructions, see Printing Labels Through SolidShip Using a Barcode Scanner.
Bulk Printing
The bulk printing feature in SolidShip prints a label for every order in Solid Commerce that has a status of Paid. When you print, you can choose to sort your orders by Storage Location, Warehouse ID, or order date. You can also simultaneously print packing slips. They will be sorted in the same order as your labels.
While it possible to pick items before you bulk print labels, most people print first and then use the labels or packing slips as a reference when picking their items.
Most people also include custom label references such as Storage Location or SKU on their labels. The references help them match the labels to the correct items. See Adding References and Rubber Stamps to Shipping Labels for instructions.
Benefits:
- Processes batches of orders extremely quickly.
- Entirely automated.
Limitations:
- You can't modify order and shipping information as your print each label.
- You must create Shipping Rules that accommodate all your orders.
- You must ensure your products have weights saved in Solid Commerce.
You Are a Good Fit If:
- Most of your orders are for single items.
- You are able to automate your label printing by saving Shipping Rules and weights in Solid Commerce.
You May Not Be a Good Fit If:
- You receive a high volume of multiple item orders.
On multiple item orders, the custom label references for SKU and Storage Location read: "Multiple Items". Printing packing slips with your labels can help when picking products. However, when products are grouped together on multiple item orders, it can be difficult to plan an efficient route through the warehouse when picking.
- You cannot create Shipping Rules that accommodate your range of needs.
Many people are surprised to find that they can create Shipping Rules that meet all their needs. See Creating Shipping Rules to Automate Your Shipping for more information.
- You cannot add weights to all of your products in Solid Commerce to automate label printing.
For complete instructions, and tips on picking products using pick lists, packing slips, or custom label references, see Printing Labels in Bulk Through the SolidShip Shipping Tool.
How SolidShip Updates the Order Status
Regardless of which method you use to print labels, orders will update to Shipped status in Solid Commerce when you print a label. We will automatically send the shipment and tracking information to the marketplace that originated the order.
NOTE: Shipment information is sent to each marketplace on its own cycle. Depending on the marketplace, it may take a little time for the order status to update.
Related Articles
- Printing Labels Through SolidShip Using Order Numbers or SKUs
- Printing Labels Through SolidShip Using a Barcode Scanner
- Printing Labels in Bulk Through the SolidShip Shipping Tool
- Connecting and Using a USB Scale Using the SolidShip Shipping Tool
- Adding Packing Slips and Invoices to Your Solid Commerce Account
- Adding References and Rubber Stamps to Shipping Labels
- Printing a Pick List
- Creating Shipping Rules to Automate Your Shipping
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