How can I process orders with a scanner (Pack & Go)? – Sendcloud Help Centre

Purpose: In this article, we will explain how Pack & Go Scanner mode can streamline your workflow for an efficient picking and packing process.

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What is barcode scanning, and why is it important?

An Inventory Scanner is both more accurate and faster than manually processing your orders. Pack & Go is designed to make picking and packing easier, whether you’re working in a warehouse, stock room, or packing location.

Pack & Go is available to users on our Premium or Growth subscription plans. It allows you to print packing slips and picking lists to process orders more quickly. You can use it in two modes:

Scanner Mode: Use a barcode scanner for even faster processing.
Automatic Mode: Process orders without a barcode scanner.

Note: If two or more users are logged in to the same account, each user will 'claim' the current order that they are working on. This way no duplicate shipments are created by accident, but multiple packers can still simultaneously use Pack & Go under the same account.

Scan and print labels using Scanner mode

If you have a wide range of products, a medium to large warehouse, and multiple packing stations equipped with barcode scanners, Pack & Go Scanner mode is the tool for you. It's designed to be used with either:

Individual Packing Slips: Shows one order per page with the items included in that order.
Picking Lists: Details multiple orders and their associated items.

Here’s how it works:

Print Packing Slips or Picking Lists: Your dedicated picker/packer prints the necessary documents.
Collect Products: Using the packing slips or picking lists, they collect the products needed to fulfill each order.
Return to Packing Station: Once the picking is complete, they return to the packing station.
Scan the Barcode: By scanning the barcode on either document in Pack & Go, the relevant order appears on the screen.
Process the Order: Scanning the barcode a second time processes the label/packing slip, which can then be attached to the box.

You can also use Pack & Go in single scan mode if you prefer to scan the barcode only once.

Barcodes explained:

Our packing and picking barcodes are unique and are automatically generated internally.
For Pack & Go, you may create a barcode representing the order number, the system will recognize the order number and will find the matching order in your queue.
We use numeric-only barcodes (also known as 128-type barcodes).

Step 1: Select Scanner mode

Pack & Go offers the possibility to process orders with or without a scanner. To set up processing without a scanner, visit Shipping > Pack & Go. Next, select the Scanner.

Step 2: Item packing

If preferred, you can select the Enable item packing check box. By selecting this option, you're activating the ability to scan off items as you go. Meaning that you have an extra packing check before creating the label.

You can choose to create labels when:

Only when all items are packed
Allow, with warning if not all items are packed
Always allow

The item scanning is related to the EAN code. Therefore, this option is only available for integration where we import the EAN code.

Compatible integrations:

ccvshop
Shopify
Prestashop
Lightspeed
Bol.com
Etsy
Amazon
Kaufland
Shopware 6 cloud
TikTok shop

Optional features

Installing the Print App

Downloading our Print Client is optional if you wish to use Pack&Go.

While it allows you to automatically print labels and packing slips/picking lists as you process them within Pack & Go, it is not mandatory. You can still use Pack & Go without the Print Client. If you choose to download it, go to Settings > Printing, and you will be prompted to download the app and configure your printing defaults. For more help setting up your printer, click here.

Set up smart Shipping Rules

Once your printer settings are configured, we recommend you set some Shipping Rules to fully automate your packing process.
Click here for a guide on how you can use Shipping Rules to automatically allocate specific shipping methods to certain types of orders, or insure parcels of a certain value by a set amount, and many more options.

Setting up shipping rules reduces or removes completely the need to individually edit orders as they appear in the queue. This saves you valuable picking and packing time and creates the ideal workflow to maximize your time-saving and cost-efficiency!

Step 3: Print your packing slip/picking list

Whether you prefer to work with a single picking list or individual packing slips is up to you.

Click here to see how to download and use packing slips and picking lists.

Once you have your packing lists/picking lists, you're ready to pick your products and process your orders.

Step 4: Print your labels

Once you've picked your orders and returned to your packing station, scan the barcode on the packing slip or picking list. You can print your labels in two different ways: using the default two-scan mode or the single-scan mode. Here’s how each mode works:

Default barcode scanner mode

First Scan: Scan once to locate the order and display it on the screen.
Make Edits: Edit the shipping method or address if needed.
Second Scan: Scan again to confirm any changes and print the shipping label.

The order will be processed, and the label will automatically print based on your predefined printer settings. Pack your order and move on to the next one.

Single-scan mode

Single Scan: Scan the barcode to locate the order and immediately create the shipping label.

In single-scan mode, you cannot make changes to the order before it is printed. The order is located, displayed on the screen, and processed with a single scan.

To learn how to activate single scan mode and how to use it, read our article Pack & Go: single scan mode.

FAQ

Is it possible to scan the barcode on a packing slip with Pack & Go, even if the packing slip is not generated within Sendcloud?

Pack & Go is compatible with packing slips from external integrations, as long as the barcode corresponds with the order number as specified in the Incoming Order View in your Sendcloud panel. Please check if your integration supports plugins to generate order barcodes. This plugin, for example, can be purchased if you generate your packing slips from your Woocommerce integration. If you scan this barcode within Pack & Go, Sendcloud will recognize the order number and you can process your order without any problems.

Why isn’t my label automatically printing, even though I scanned the packing slip/pick list for a second time?

Is your cursor located on the order number or barcode field? This will cause complications while processing your orders.

I activated the item packing feature, but when I scanned the items with my scanner, the items were not marked as packed. Why?

To ensure items are marked as packed, the scanner should send the Enter Key after each scan. Some scanners may default to sending the Tab Key instead, causing issues. Please consult your scanner's user manual, as the configuration varies depending on the brand.

Want to use Pack & Go without a scanner? Click here to see how to use the Automatic mode.