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How to Automatically Print Shipping Labels via Automation Rule

The Auto-Print Shipping Label automation rule marks an order so that its shipping label prints automatically the moment all items are packed — without the packer clicking Print. Use it for products with pre-defined weights or when scales are not needed.

Table of Contents

How to Set Up the Auto-Print Shipping Label Rule

  1. Go to Orders > Automation Rules and click Create new automation rule.

    Automation Rules page with Create new automation rule button
  2. Set the Trigger and Action to automatically print the shipping label.

    Automation rule trigger and action configuration

Automation rules run only on orders created after the rule is saved. Orders placed before the rule was created are not affected.

How Auto-Print Shipping Labels Works During Packing

Auto-print works the same way across standard single-order, Multi-Item Batch (MIB), and Single-Item Batch (SIB) packing. When all conditions are met, ShipHero prints the label automatically — the packer does not need to click anything. Auto-print fires once per session and will not refire.

All four conditions must be true at the same time:

  • All items on the order are packed
  • A box is selected on the order
  • The label has not already been auto-printed in this session
  • A pre-label has not already been generated for the order

SIB Packing Exception

In Single-Item Batch (SIB) packing, every order in the batch must have the Auto-Print Shipping Label attribute enabled. If any single order in the batch does not have it set, auto-print is disabled for the entire batch — not just that order.

When auto-print labels and auto-print invoices are both enabled on an order, ShipHero prints both together in a single action.

Auto-Print vs. Pre-Print Shipping Labels

Pre-Print Shipping Label is a separate automation rule action. The key difference is timing: pre-print fires immediately when the order is opened (before any scanning begins), as long as a box is already defined. Auto-print waits until all items are packed.

The two rules block each other to prevent duplicate labels:

  • When a pre-label has already been generated for an order, Auto-Print Shipping Label is skipped entirely for that order.
  • When Auto-Print Shipping Label has already fired for an order, the pre-label handler exits early for that order.

When Auto-Print Shipping Labels Will Not Fire

Condition What happens
No box selected on the order Auto-print waits — it will fire once a box is set and all items are packed
Pre-label already generated Auto-print is skipped entirely for that order
Auto-print already fired this session Will not fire again — one print per session only
SIB batch: not all orders have the attribute set Auto-print is disabled for the entire batch
Mobile packing app Auto-Print Shipping Label is not supported on mobile — packers must tap Print manually. (The mobile app has a separate Auto-Print Invoice feature for packing slips only.)

More Resources

  • ShipHero Public API

    Connect your tools and AI agents directly to ShipHero with the Public API. Build powerful integrations, automate workflows, and tap into real-time data using the AI tools you prefer, with the option for secure, read-only access for AI-driven insights without added risk.

  • ShipHero Academy

    Explore ShipHero Academy for certifications, deep-dive training, and expert-led courses on WMS and fulfillment. Build your expertise and help your team operate at a higher level.

  • Change Log

    Stay up to date with the latest improvements across ShipHero. The Change Log gives you a clear view of new features, enhancements, and fixes as they roll out—so you always know what’s new and what’s better.