How to Manually Fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify

Your store is thriving, but unfulfilled orders can create stress. Nobody wants unhappy customers waiting for items to ship. Manual fulfillment is a game-changer if you crave complete oversight of each order. You can confirm item details, packaging, and shipping, personalizing every step. Knowing how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually empowers you to spot-check products, guarantee quality, and connect with customers on a deeper level. This hands-on approach also helps you avoid costly mistakes and shipping delays.

Ready to take control of your fulfillment process? In this guide, you’ll see clear steps for manually fulfilling Printify Orders on Shopify so you can streamline operations and exceed buyer expectations.

What Is Printify?

Printify is a Print-on-Demand (POD) platform that makes it easy to create custom products. It connects online entrepreneurs with various print providers worldwide. With Printify, you can craft T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and countless other items featuring your designs without holding any physical inventory.

Why Printify 

Many e-commerce sellers crave unique, customized merchandise but lack the resources to produce items. Printify bridges the gap. With their network of print partners, you get access to high-quality printing, packaging, and shipping services at competitive rates.

Key Benefits of Printify

• Wide Product Variety: You’ll find apparel, accessories, and home decor items to suit any niche.
• User-Friendly Platform: Printify’s interface is straightforward. You can create and publish new designs quickly.
• Multiple Print Providers: Need faster shipping or certain print qualities? Pick the provider that best suits your needs.
• Ease of Scaling: Whether you sell ten items or thousands, Printify handles the heavy lifting.

Knowing how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually comes in handy if you want extra control. You decide which designs go to which print provider. You’re never stuck with a cookie-cutter approach. This flexibility helps you tailor each order to your store’s unique style.

If you ever decide to expand your product line, Printify offers an almost unlimited inventory of customizable items. That’s why many store owners see it as a core brand-building tool. Coupling Printify’s product variety with manual fulfillment allows you to create a more personalized experience that speaks to your audience.

What Is Shopify?

Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that helps you build and manage an online store without needing advanced technical know-how. From design to payment processing, Shopify streamlines the entire selling process. It’s well-loved by startups and established brands for its intuitive interface and robust ecosystem of apps.

Core Features of Shopify

• User-Friendly Store Builder: Drag-and-drop themes let you shape your website’s look and feel.
• Secure Checkout: Shopify handles payment gateways, offering buyers a safe, reliable experience.
• App Integrations: Thousands of apps, from email marketing tools to print-on-demand services, can be connected directly to your store.
• 24/7 Support: Shopify’s help center and support channels keep you covered if technical issues arise.

Why Shopify Is Perfect for Printify

Shopify’s framework pairs excellently with print-on-demand. You can list your custom items, set up shipping rules, and sync with Printify to automate many tasks. Yet sometimes, you want or need to fulfill orders manually. That’s where mastering how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually becomes a strategic advantage.

You can tap into powerful analytics, marketing tools, and built-in SEO features by choosing Shopify. As you streamline your manual fulfillment process, these features help you optimize product listings, track conversions, and grow your brand’s presence.

Why Should You Manually Fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify?

You might wonder, “Why not just let automation do its job?” While automated fulfillment is convenient, there are valid reasons to want hands-on control over every order.

• Quality Assurance: By manually fulfilling orders, you confirm product details and designs before sending them off. If an item doesn’t meet your standards, you can fix it immediately.
• Personal Touch: Want to add a thank-you note or custom packaging? Manual fulfillment lets you include small extras that delight customers.
• Inventory Flexibility: Sometimes, you switch print providers due to shipping times, cost, or stock levels. Handling orders manually makes these adjustments easier.
• Better Customer Experience: You can respond quickly if a buyer requests changes. A swift solution fosters loyalty and prevents returns.

Can You Automate Printify Order Fulfillment on Shopify?

Yes, you can. Automation is typically set up by integrating Printify directly with your Shopify store. When a customer places an order, it’s automatically routed to the print provider, produced, and shipped without you having to touch anything. This approach saves time and is ideal for high-volume stores.

But why focus on how to manually fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify if automation is so convenient? Sometimes, automated fulfillment might not meet specific needs. For instance:

• Mixed Product Orders: Not all products are from Printify.
• Out-of-Stock Issues: A print provider might run out of a particular SKU, prompting you to switch to another vendor.
• Custom Edits: Your buyer might request a slight design tweak or color change at the last minute.

Manual fulfillment offers flexibility. You can pivot instantly when changes arise. Plus, customers often appreciate an added layer of attention. Once you master these manual steps, you can decide when to toggle automation on or off based on each order’s circumstances.

What Types of Printify Products Can You and Can’t You Fulfill Manually on Shopify?

Most Printify products, from essential tees to premium posters, can be manually fulfilled if the correct print provider is linked to your Shopify store. However, some specialized items or integrations might be trickier.

Products You Can Fulfill Manually

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, leggings, hats.
• Accessories: Phone cases, tote bags, socks.
• Home Decor: Posters, canvases, pillows.
• Drinkware: Mugs, tumblers, water bottles.

Products That May Be Harder To Fulfill Manually

• Products With Restricted Designs: Some providers have guidelines on what can be printed.
• Pre-Integrated Bundles: Specific product bundles or promotions occasionally rely on complete automation.

If you’re unsure, check the Printify product listing. Most items let you choose from various print providers. That variety means you typically have free rein to pick who handles your order. If a particular product has limitations, Printify will often indicate that in the product details.

Ultimately, if you know how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually, you can handle most items smoothly. You just need to confirm you’re using a suitable print provider. That’s the beauty of Printify: multiple supplier options let you pivot if one can’t deliver the product you want.

Steps to Manually Fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify

Below is a straightforward process for manually fulfilling Printify Orders on Shopify. Bookmark it or keep it handy. Once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature.

1. Log in to Your Shopify Account

Go to Shopify.com and sign in using your credentials. Your dashboard will provide an overview of recent orders, store performance, and pending tasks.

Tip: Keep your dashboard organized. Pin everyday tasks to the top so you can access them quickly.

2. Go to the “Orders” Section

In your Shopify admin panel, find the “Orders” tab. Here’s where you see all pending purchases. Locate the specific order you want to fulfill manually.

Pro Tip: Use Shopify’s filters to sort orders by date, payment status, or fulfillment status. This helps you manage volume during busy seasons.

3. Select the Order to Fulfill

Click the order number or customer name. Under the “Unfulfilled” section, choose the “Fulfill item(s)” button. This is where Shopify expects you to input shipment and product details.

Why This Matters: This step is crucial because it allows you to confirm everything is correct before sending the order to production.

4. Check and Enter Item Quantities

In the fulfillment screen, specify how many units you’re fulfilling. If an order has multiple items—some Printify and some from another supplier—you might only manually fulfill certain items.

Stay Organized: Keep clear notes if you’re using multiple fulfillment methods. This will help avoid confusion later if a customer wonders about a partial shipment.

5. Link the Ordered Product to a Printify Listing

To manually fulfill Printify orders on Shopify, connect the item in Shopify to the corresponding product in Printify. Make sure you select the correct design and variant.

Heads-up: You must create the product in Printify first. Upload your design, set sizing, and choose a print provider. Then, you can link it back to Shopify.

6. Choose a Print Provider

With Printify, multiple providers may offer the same product. Select the one that suits your location, shipping speed, or budget. This step is vital for ensuring timely delivery.

Best Practice: Check shipping times regularly. Providers can change speed or cost, so staying updated helps maintain customer satisfaction.

7. Upload or Confirm Your Design

If your design isn’t already uploaded, you’ll do it now. Double-check resolution and placement. Make sure the product mockups match what your customer ordered.

Accuracy Tip: Printify previews help you see exactly how the final product will look. Spot any alignment issues before hitting “submit.”

8. Adjust Sizing (if necessary)

Some designs look better when scaled up or down. If a customer requests a specific tweak, do it here. This ensures your final product matches their vision.

Watch the Margins: Always review the design's proximity to the edges. Small shifts can drastically change the result.

9. Enter Tracking Details (If Available)

If you already have a tracking number from your shipping provider, add it here in the fulfillment form. If not, leave this blank and update it once you have one.

Important: Customers often want tracking information. Promptly sending it can reduce inquiries such as “Where’s my order?”

10. Select a Shipping Carrier

Shopify offers a dropdown of popular carriers, or you can manually type one if yours isn’t listed. Matching the carrier is crucial for accurate tracking.

Customer Satisfaction Tip: Always deliver on your promises. If you advertise USPS shipping, don’t switch to a slower method without informing the customer.

11. Send a Shipping Confirmation Email

If the customer provides an email address, you can trigger an automated shipping confirmation and personalize the message with a thank-you note.

Why It Matters: An email update assures the customer their item is on its way and shows you care about their experience.

12. Click “Fulfill Item(s)”

Finally, confirm everything and click “Fulfill item(s).” Shopify will mark the order as fulfilled, and Printify (or your chosen provider) will start production. You’ve just finished how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually—congrats!

A Helpful Addition: Spocket for Your Shopify Store

As you refine how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually, consider adding another tool to your dropshipping arsenal: Spocket. While Printify focuses on Print-on-Demand, Spocket connects you with top-tier US and EU suppliers for dropshipping products.

• Over 100 Million Products: You’ll find winning items that complement your print-on-demand merchandise.
• 24/7 VIP Support: Spocket’s support team is on standby to assist if you face any hiccups.
• Print-on-Demand Customization: Spocket also offers print-on-demand, allowing you to experiment with design and branding for a diverse product range.
• Branded Invoicing: Elevate your store’s image with invoices featuring your logo and brand details.
• No MOQs: You can order just one product at a time, perfect for testing new ideas without significant inventory risks.
• One-Click Integrations: Spocket syncs seamlessly with Shopify (and other platforms like Wix and Amazon), so you don’t have to jump through extra hoops.

Spocket might be your next big step if you crave variety beyond print-on-demand. Its 14-day free trial offers a risk-free experience. 

Conclusion 

Manually fulfilling orders might sound tedious at first. But once you understand how to fulfill Printify Orders on Shopify manually, it becomes a straightforward routine that grants you more control. You can ensure top-notch quality, keep customers happy, and pivot quickly if changes arise. This hands-on approach strengthens your brand because shoppers notice—and appreciate—your attention to detail.

Remember, your store’s success hinges on delivering a satisfying experience. Manual fulfillment is just one method for achieving that goal. Pair it with the right tools, like Spocket, for diverse product sourcing, and watch your brand thrive.