Print USPS Shipping Labels with Stamps.com & Fulfill Orders in WooCommerce

Shipping efficiency is crucial for any e-commerce business, and leveraging the right tools can make a significant difference. If you’re using WooCommerce for your online store, integrating with USPS Stamps.com can streamline your shipping process and enhance your order fulfillment.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to print USPS shipping labels using Stamps.com and seamlessly fulfill your WooCommerce orders.

USPS (Stamps.com) Overview

USPS (Stamps.com) is an online service that enables small to medium-sized businesses to print USPS shipping labels and manage shipments directly from their computer. Stamps.com is approved by the USPS® to allow customers to buy and print postage online. It offers an easy setup, flexible options, and discounted rates, and integrates seamlessly with platforms like WooCommerce.

Shipping Label & Its Importance

A shipping label is a document attached to a package that includes key information such as the recipient’s address, sender’s address, tracking number, and shipping details. It helps carriers process and deliver the package accurately and efficiently.

Why a Shipping Label is Required:

• Ensures accurate delivery by specifying the correct address.
• Provides tracking information for monitoring shipment progress.
• Facilitates efficient carrier processing and handling.
• Supports effective order management and confirmation.
• Meets postal and shipping regulations for compliance.

Key Elements of USPS (Stamps.com) Shipping Label

1. Service Type: Shows the USPS service used, like Priority Mail or First-Class, which determines delivery speed and features.
2. From Address: The address of the sender.
3. To Address: The recipient’s delivery address.
4. Tracking Number: A unique code for tracking the package’s status and journey.
5. Service Symbol: Indicates the USPS service type (e.g., Priority Mail) and its priority level.
6. Barcode: A scannable code used for tracking and processing the package.

What is Order fulfillment in WooCommerce

Order fulfillment in WooCommerce is the process of handling and completing customer orders. It starts with processing the order details, ensuring you have the products in stock, picking and packing the items, and then shipping them to the customer. It also involves updating the order status and communicating with customers about their order progress.

Effective order fulfillment ensures a smooth experience for your customers and helps keep your online store running efficiently.

Setup Requirement before Printing USPS (Stamps.com) Shipping Labels

1. Download and Activate the Plugin:

• Download the WooCommerce Shipping Services plugin and activate the plugin.
• After activating, Register the plugin and begin the setup process. For detailed instructions, refer to the Setup guide.

2. USPS (Stamps.com) Account Setup:

Set up a USPS(Stamps.com) carrier account, and register directly on the USPS official website.

Refer to this guide for assistance and to obtain your account details (User ID and password).

3. Label Size and Format:

Configure the label type and size,

• Go to Shipping → Settings → Carriers → STAMPS USPS → Other Details

Adjust the Image Type and Paper Size for PDF according to your business requirements.

4. Update WooCommerce Orders Status:

Ensure your WooCommerce orders are in the “Processing” stage, as only these will be imported into the plugin for label printing. If any orders are not in the “Processing” stage, manually change their status to “Processing.”

[For information on displaying USPS (Stamps.com) live shipping rates at checkout while placing orders, check out this guide]

How to Print Stamps-USPS Shipping Labels for WooCommerce Orders

To print USPS(Stamps.com) labels,

• Visit the Orders tab, select the order for which you want to generate and print a shipping label, and click on Generate Labels, as shown below.

• Select the order again and click on Print Documents to get the shipping labels
• The plugin will automatically redirect you to the printed USPS shipping label.

• Once your orders are ready for shipping, the WooCommerce Shipping Services plugin allows you to request the USPS pick-up from within your WooCommerce store.
• Visit the Orders tab and select the order again, now click on the Request Pickup option, as shown below.

• After requesting the pickup, you can visit the Orders tab, select the order that is ready to be fulfilled, and click on Mark As Fulfilled to fulfill the order.

• Once you mark the orders as fulfilled, they will automatically be updated to “Completed” in WooCommerce, and tracking details will be added.
• The WooCommerce Shipping Services plugin also sends the tracking information to customers via the WooCommerce Order Shipped Email, as shown in the image below.

• To print the Manifest, head to the Manifest tab and click the Print icon on that particular order. Hand it over to the USPS(Stamps.com) agent when they pick up your package.

Conclusion

Integrating USPS (Stamps.com) with WooCommerce using the WooCommerce Shipping Services Plugin simplifies and enhances your shipping and order fulfillment. By following this guide, you can efficiently print USPS (Stamps.com) shipping labels, manage order statuses, and ensure accurate tracking and delivery. This integration saves you time and effort, making the entire process easier and more efficient.