Creating a manual order in Printify is a straightforward process designed for sending samples, personal gifts, or fulfilling custom requests that bypass your integrated sales channels. This allows for direct control over product selection, shipping, and recipient details.
To create an order in Printify, you'll start by navigating to the My products section within your Printify dashboard and selecting the option to Create order → Manual.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Manual Order
Follow these steps to successfully create and place a manual order in Printify:
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Access the Order Creation Page:
- Log in to your Printify account.
- From your dashboard, locate and click on My products in the left-hand navigation menu.
- On the My products page, you will find a button to Create order. Click on it, and then select Manual from the dropdown options.
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Select Your Products:
- Once on the manual order creation page, you'll be prompted to choose from your already created products. Browse through your designs and select the items you wish to include in this order.
- Tip: Utilize the available filters to quickly find products, especially if you're looking for specific shipping options. You can apply filters to display products with Express Delivery or Economy Shipping options, depending on your urgency and budget.
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Add More Products (Optional):
- If you need to include multiple different products or variations in a single order, simply click on Add product to order and repeat the selection process for each additional item.
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Specify Recipient and Shipping Details:
- After adding all desired products, you'll need to enter the recipient's shipping information. This includes their full name, address, city, state/province, postal code, and country.
- Choose your preferred shipping method from the available options. The cost and estimated delivery times will be displayed based on the destination and chosen method.
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Review and Place Order:
- Carefully review all the details of your order, including the products, quantities, sizes, designs, shipping address, and chosen shipping method.
- Confirm the total cost, which will include product costs and shipping fees.
- Proceed to payment to finalize your order. Printify accepts various payment methods, usually including credit/debit cards and Printify Balance.
Why Create a Manual Order?
Manual orders serve several important purposes for Printify merchants:
- Product Samples: Order samples of new designs or product types to assess quality, fit, and print accuracy before offering them to your customers.
- Personal Gifts: Send personalized items directly to friends, family, or collaborators as gifts.
- Customer Service: Address specific customer issues, such as sending a replacement for a lost or damaged item, without processing through your storefront.
- Offline Sales: Fulfill orders received through channels outside your integrated e-commerce platform (e.g., direct messages, custom requests).
Key Considerations for Manual Orders
When placing manual orders, keep the following in mind to ensure a smooth process:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Availability | Only published products from your Printify store can be selected for manual orders. Ensure your desired item is published. |
| Shipping Costs | Shipping costs are calculated based on the recipient's address, product type, and chosen shipping method. These are clearly displayed before final payment. |
| Payment | Manual orders require immediate payment at the time of creation. Make sure your Printify Balance is sufficient or have a valid payment method on file. |
| Order Tracking | Once placed, you can track the status of your manual order directly from the "Orders" section of your Printify dashboard, just like regular orders. |
| Returns/Refunds | Printify's standard refund and return policy applies to manual orders. |
| Express Delivery | Always check the product details and use filters if you need items to arrive quickly, as not all print providers or products offer express options. |
Best Practices for Manual Orders
- Double-Check Addresses: Incorrect addresses are a common cause of delivery issues. Always verify the recipient's shipping information before confirming the order.
- Review Design Files: Ensure the correct design file is linked to the product variant you are ordering, especially if you have multiple versions.
- Utilize Notes: If there are any specific instructions for the print provider (though less common for manual orders), you can sometimes add notes during the checkout process, or contact Printify support for complex requests.
- Keep Records: Although Printify stores order history, it's good practice to keep a personal record of manual orders for your accounting or inventory tracking, particularly if they relate to business expenses or samples.
By following these steps, you can efficiently create and manage manual orders within Printify, leveraging the platform's capabilities for your diverse needs beyond automated sales.
