How To Print a Shipping Label to a PDF
ShipWorks gives you the ability to create an action to automatically process a shipping label for your orders. Shipments are automatically created and shipping labels processed based upon the shipping rules and shipping profiles you have configured in ShipWorks.
This may be useful when you want labels to be:
- Automatically processed as orders are downloaded or imported into ShipWorks.
- Automatically processed when an order status changes.
- Automatically processed for orders in a specific filter.
- Processed as a batch of orders by clicking a custom button.
How to Get Started
To print a shipping label to a .pdf file format, you will need to have a PDF writer installed on your computer. Adobe Acrobat is a popular option, but there are a number of free tools available. Here are some of our favorites:
It’s important to note, if you print shipping labels on more than one computer be sure to install the PDF writer on every computer you want to print PDFs with. After installing a PDF writer, you should be able to route any standard label template, invoice, or packing slip to print (or save) as a .pdf.
In this example, we will be using the “Standard Label” template in the ShipWorks dashboard. You will not be able to print to a PDF using a thermal template.
Part One: Routing Your PDF Writer to Your Standard Printer Template
Step 1. In ShipWorks, go to Manage > Templates.
Step 2. Expand (
) the “Labels” folder.
Step 3. Select the “Standard” template and click “Edit”.
Step 4. Click the “Settings” tab, and select “Printing” from the left-side menu.
Step 5. From the printer’s drop-down menu, select your PDF writer. In this example, we’ve selected “PrimoPDF”.
Step 6. Click “Save” and Close”.
Part Two: Prompting a PDF to Appear
Using a “Standard Label” template:
Step 1. Process as a shipment (that uses your standard label template) as normal (Home > Ship Orders > Adjust your Shipment Details > Process).
Step 2. If you have an action to automatically print your label, your label should send the request to your PDF writing software, prompting the software to open. To print manually, click “Print” from the “Ship Orders” screen after processing your shipment, which will send the request to your PDF writing software.
Step 3. Depending on your PDF software, you will be asked to “Create PDF” / “Save” a copy of the PDF before printing. Click “Create PDF” (and/or “Save”).
Step 4. After “Create PDF” and/or saving your PDF, a window will appear with your new label.
This example uses PrimoPDF’s formatting:
Step 5. Use the print function in your PDF writer to print your label.
Step 6. (Optional) Use the save function in your PDF writer to save your label.
Step 7. Close your PDF writer.
Step 8. Close the “Ship Orders” window in ShipWorks.
Need more help printing labels? Check out our ShipWorks Support article or reach out via phone, email, or chat.