ShipStation includes barcode scanning to both verify the products you pack into a shipment and to initiate printing labels for those shipments. To verify shipments, you'll scan either SKU or UPC barcodes for items as you pack. You can use the Verify option independently from the print option, or you can combine them to create a rapid barcode scanning workflow for your pick, pack, and ship process.
The ShipStation Scan options are located in the Scan tab.
There are three Scan workflow options for barcodes:
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Scan to Print will print labels for orders as you scan them.
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Scan to Verify confirms the picker has the right items to pack.
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Scan to Verify and Print will confirm the item you pack then allow you to print the label for that shipment.
For your chosen workflow, here is what you need before you begin:
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A barcode scanner.
TIP: We recommend enabling your barcode scanner's carriage return function so it sends an "Enter" signal after each scan.
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Packing slips with a Scan to View Barcode or an order number barcode.
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Set preferences for Scan to Verify & Print to support UPC, Item SKU, and/or Fulfilment SKU for items.
Go to
Settings >Shipping > Workflow Settings > Scan To Verify Items Byto set your preference. -
Add UPCs and/or Fulfilment SKUs to your product records.
We recommend using our CSV import method to add UPCs or Fulfilment SKUs to all of your products at once.
Multiple UPC Codes Not Supported
Scan to Verify does not support using multiple UPC codes or Fulfilment SKUs on a single product.
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Install ShipStation Connect and sign in (if not already installed and running).
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Preconfigured shipment weights or a connected USB scale.
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If using ShipStation Carriers, auto-funding MUST be enabled.
For the Verify & Print workflow, ensure you meet all the requirements listed above.
The Scan to Print feature allows you to scan a packing slip barcode to quickly view an order and create and print the label. For orders that already have their shipment details configured, Scan to Print allows you to weigh packages and print labels in quick succession.
To use the Scan to Print feature:
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Click Workflow, then choose Scan to Print.
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Select a printer from the Printer drop-down menu.
If you are are using a scale, also select it from the Select a scale drop-down.
ShipStation will save these selections for you to use in the future.
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Scan a packing slip barcode for an order. This will open the order's shipment details.
If your packing slips do not include a barcode, follow the Add Scan to View Barcode instructions.
The weight from your attached USB scale will update automatically. To use your preconfigured weights instead, turn off the Use Scale toggle.
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Click Print Label or use the P hotkey on your keyboard to purchase and print a label.
ShipStation will immediately be ready for you to scan your next packing slip barcode.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 to continue scanning through your printed packing slips and creating and printing labels for the associated shipments.
The Scan to Verify workflow allows you to scan a UPC or SKU barcode to confirm the picker has the right items to pack, which minimizes packing errors and provides the ability to apply precise package weight for each shipment.
Scan to Verify gives audio and visual feedback when you scan an item barcode to help you detect packing errors and confirm that the contents of every order are correct.
In Scan to Verify mode, ShipStation will mark orders as Verified once all items in a shipment are scanned. ShipStation will then be immediately ready to verify the next order.
The Scan to Verify mode does not have a label print step. To automatically create and print a label after verifying, use the Scan to Verify & Print mode.
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Print packing slips for your orders.
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Set the Workflow to Scan to Verify.
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Scan a barcode from your packing slip or enter the order number manually to open the order you wish to verify.
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Choose one of three ways to verify the products in the order (each method is tracked and reported differently):
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Scan the barcode for each product in the order,
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Click Verify to manually verify each line item,
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Click Verify All to verify all order items.
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Click Mark as Verified once all items in the shipment have been verified. You will immediately move on to the next shipment.
If you do not want to click Mark as Verified after verifying all your products, you can adjust the Workflow Settings for your account so that ShipStation will automatically move to the next shipment after you verify the last product in an order.
Enable Barcode Scanner Carriage Return
If your barcode scanner is not set to send a carriage return (equivalent to pressing the Enter key), you may find that you must manually click Verify after scanning a UPC or SKU for an order. This is because ShipStation is not receiving the "Enter" signal from the scanner and is waiting for you to click Verify Item.
Enable the carriage return on your barcode scanner so the scanner will send an "Enter" signal as soon as you scan the UPC or SKU. ShipStation will then verify the item upon scan and be immediately ready for the next scan event without you performing any additional actions.
In the Scan to Verify & Print workflow, you will scan a UPC or SKU barcode to confirm the picker has the right items to pack then automatically move to the print label step once all items are verified.
Scan to Verify & Print provides audio and visual feedback when you scan an item barcode. This allows you to detect packing errors and confirm that the contents of every order are correct.
To use Scan to Verify & Print:
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Print packing slips for the orders you want to pick and pack.
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Select your label printer (and your scale, if using one) from the drop-down menus at the top of the screen.
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Scan a packing slip barcode or enter the order number manually.
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Choose one of three ways to verify the products in the order (each method is tracked and reported differently):
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Scan the barcode for each product in the order,
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Click Verify to manually verify each line item,
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Click Verify All to verify all order items.
Each of these options will change the count for the product until the full quantity have been verified. Once the total quantity for an item is successfully scanned, ShipStation considers that item Verified. Once all items are verified, move on to Step 6.
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Click Mark as Verified or press V to use the hotkey.
This will take you to the Configure Shipment Widget to create your label. You may keep any previously configured settings or update your shipping preferences if needed. If you have a scale connected, ShipStation will automatically apply the weight from your scale to the shipment.
Workflow Setting Available
If you do not want to click Mark as Verified after verifying all your products, you can adjust the Workflow Settings for your account so that ShipStation will automatically move to the Configure Shipment Widget after you verify the last product in an order.
OPTIONAL: If you need to edit any verified items, click Edit Verification to return to the previous screen.
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Click the Print Label button or press P to create and print the label.
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Repeat steps 4 - 7 for each order in your stack of packing slips.
To view an order's history or to reprint a label, scan the barcode on the packing slip again while in the Scan to Verify & Print screen.
See Scan to Verify & Print in Action
Use Barcode Scan Actions to Purchase and Print the Label
To make your workflow even more efficient, use the Purchase and Print Label barcode scan action to remove mouse clicks and hotkeys from your process entirely!
Click Print Barcode Sheet in the Scan to Verify & Print screen.
This will print the Scan to Print Barcode, which you can keep at your workstation. Scan this barcode to purchase and print the labels for each order, instead of clicking the Print Label button or using the P hotkey.
Connect a USB scale to automatically apply the package weight to the shipment in ShipStation.
Select the scale during setup, scan each item, and place it in the box. Once all items are scanned and the box is packed, place the box on the scale. This will automatically apply the weight from your scale as the weight of the shipment so you can create your label right away.
OPTIONAL: Use a scale as you add items and packing material. The scale will detect the added weight (bubble wrap, bonus gift, additional products, etc) and adjust as you pack the shipment.
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Once an order is Marked as Verified, the order will display Verified in the header of the shipment in its Order Details.
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The Verify workflows are not for inventory management, nor do they add products to an order with a scan. Ideally, you will have checked the order against inventory before sending a picker to pack those items.
If an item is out of stock, we recommend you create separate shipments for the in-stock and out-of-stock items.
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During Scan to Verify & Print or Scan to Verify, if you scan an item in the order but not currently visible in the item list, a notification will alert you that an out-of-view item has been counted/verified.
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You may need to adjust the barcode size printed on your packing slips to accommodate your scanner. Please review the Change Barcode Size, Type, and Font section of the Adding Barcodes to Packing Slips article to learn how.
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Most general-purpose barcode scanners will work with scan workflows, be it USB or Bluetooth. Models we've tested that work well include the Zebra Symbol LS2208 and the Motorola LI4278.
USB scales that don’t fall asleep are ideal, as ShipStation Connect cannot wake up devices that have turned themselves off due to inactivity.
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Orders must have the following information before you can create a label:
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A Ship From Location
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Shipping Service
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Package Type
Increase Efficiency
Use Preset Hotkeys or automation to set these options quickly.
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If you scan the packing slip for an order with a label already generated, you can print the existing label by pressing P or scanning the Purchase and Print Label barcode.
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If the order weight is 0, but the service/package combination allows it (like flat rate services), the rate will display in orange.