Packing slips are one of those essential documents that often get overlooked until something goes wrong with an order. Whether you're just starting your ecommerce business or looking to optimize your fulfillment process, getting your packing slips right can save you time, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about packing slip fields, from the must-have information to optional elements that can enhance your brand and streamline operations.
What is a Packing Slip?
A packing slip is a document included inside a package that lists all the items contained in that shipment. Unlike an invoice (which focuses on payment details) or a shipping label (which goes on the outside of the package), a packing slip serves as a verification tool for both your warehouse team and your customers.
The warehouse staff uses it to confirm they're packing the correct items, and customers use it to verify they received everything they ordered.
Essential Fields Every Packing Slip Should Include
1. Order Information
Order Number: This is the most critical identifier on your packing slip. Customers and support teams use order numbers to quickly reference specific transactions. Your order number should be prominently displayed, usually at the top of the document.
Order Date: Including the date the order was placed helps with record-keeping and can be useful for returns or exchanges that have time-sensitive policies.
2. Company Information
Your Business Name: Make sure your store name or business name is clearly visible. This helps with brand recognition and makes it easy for customers to know who the package is from.
Return Address: Include your complete return address. If customers need to send something back, they shouldn't have to search for this information.
Contact Information: Add your customer service email, phone number, or website URL. This makes it easy for customers to reach out if there are any issues.
Logo: While optional, including your logo adds a professional touch and reinforces your brand identity with every order.
3. Customer Information
Recipient Name: The full name of the person receiving the order.
Shipping Address: The complete delivery address, including street address, city, state/province, postal code, and country.
Billing Address (Optional): Some businesses include the billing address if it differs from the shipping address, though this is less common on packing slips.
4. Itemized Product List
This is the core of your packing slip. For each item in the shipment, include:
Product Name/Title: The full name of each item being shipped. Be specific enough that both your team and the customer can easily identify the product.
Variant Details: If applicable, include size, color, style, or any other variant information (e.g., "Blue T-Shirt - Size Large").
Quantity: How many units of each item are included in this specific package.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): Your internal product code helps warehouse staff quickly locate items and track issues.
Optional but Valuable Fields
5. Product Images
Including small thumbnail images of each product helps warehouse staff verify they're packing the correct items and assists customers in identifying products in large orders.
6. Item-Specific Information
Product Weight & Dimensions: Useful for shipping verification and identifying specific items like furniture or large goods.
UPC/GTIN/Barcode: Universal product codes can streamline inventory management and make returns processing faster.
Custom Metafields: Display internal data like bin locations or specific product care attributes directly on the slip.
7. Shipping Information
Shipping Method: Let customers know which carrier and service level was used (e.g., "USPS Priority Mail").
Tracking Number: Provides a physical reference if the customer needs to track additional shipments or file a claim.
Shipment Number: For orders split across multiple packages, use an identifier like "Shipment 1 of 2."
8. Order Status Indicators
Shipped Items vs. Ordered Items: For partial shipments, clearly indicate which items are included in this package and which are being shipped separately.
Backordered/Out of Stock Items: List items that aren't included so customers aren't left wondering where their missing items are.
9. Special Instructions and Notes
Handling & Care: Include notes like "Fragile" or clothing care instructions.
Custom Notes Field: Use a flexible section for messages like "Thank you for your order!" or specific information about shipping delays.
10. Branding and Marketing Elements
Thank You Message & Return Policy: Adds a personal touch and clarifies your return window.
Discount Codes & Social Media: Encourage retention by including a coupon for future purchases and your social handles.
QR Codes: Add codes linking to order tracking, product reviews, or customer surveys.
Packing Slip Best Practices for Shopify Stores
Keep It Clean and Organized
Your packing slip should be easy to scan quickly. Use clear headings, adequate spacing, and a logical layout. Warehouse staff should be able to find what they need in seconds.
Make It Scannable
Use larger fonts for critical information like order numbers. Consider using bold text or highlighting for items that require special attention.
Stay Consistent
Once you've settled on a packing slip format, keep it consistent across all orders. This helps your team work more efficiently and creates a professional brand experience.
Creating Professional Packing Slips with Order Printer Pro
Setting up packing slips with all the right fields is straightforward with Order Printer Pro. The app offers customizable templates that include all essential fields by default, with the flexibility to add custom fields as your business needs evolve.
The app allows you to:
- Add your logo and branding elements easily.
- Customize which fields appear on your packing slips to suit your workflow.
- Handle Partial Shipments: Automatically display only the items included in a specific fulfillment.
- Include custom metafields for product-specific information like bin locations.
- Print in bulk: Select hundreds of orders at once from your Shopify admin.
- Auto-generate PDF links: Deliver digital packing slips to customers automatically via email.
- Support multiple languages and currencies for international orders.
This means you can have professional, customized packing slips up and running in minutes rather than hours, without needing to code or edit complex templates.
How Packing Slip Fields Improve Your Business
Reduce Picking and Packing Errors: When warehouse staff have clear product names, SKUs, and quantities, they're less likely to grab the wrong item.
Speed Up Returns and Exchanges: Clear order numbers and product information help support teams identify products and process returns faster.
Enhance Customer Experience: A well-designed packing slip shows professionalism and tells customers you care about their experience from order to delivery.
Facilitate Multi-Package Orders: Shipment indicators help customers track which items should arrive in each package, reducing "where's my stuff?" inquiries.
International Shipping Considerations
If you ship internationally, packing slips help customs authorities assess package contents. Consider including:
- Country of origin for each product
- Harmonized tariff (HS) codes
- Accurate product descriptions
Conclusion
The right packing slip fields can make a significant difference in your order fulfillment accuracy, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Start with the essential fields like order info and product lists, then layer in branding and marketing elements as you scale.
Whether you're running a small shop or scaling to hundreds of orders per day, having a solid packing slip system in place will save you time and reduce errors.
Ready to create professional packing slips for your Shopify store? Try Order Printer Pro free for 14 days and see how easy it is to customize your packing slips with all the fields your business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I legally need to include a packing slip?
There's no legal requirement to include packing slips when shipping orders. However, they're considered a best practice in ecommerce and can significantly reduce customer service issues.
Should I include prices on packing slips?
This depends on your business. If you're shipping gifts or B2B orders, you might want to omit pricing. For most B2C orders, including prices is fine and can actually be helpful for customers.
What's the difference between a packing slip and an invoice?
A packing slip lists physical items in a package and focuses on fulfillment. An invoice is a financial document showing prices, payment terms, and amounts due, and is typically used for accounting and payment purposes.
How do I add custom fields to Shopify packing slips?
The native Shopify packing slip template has limited customization options. For more control over fields and layout, apps like Order Printer Pro provide easy-to-use interfaces for adding custom fields, including metafields, without requiring coding knowledge.
Should each package get its own packing slip for multi-box orders?
Yes, each box should include a packing slip showing which items are in that specific package, along with an indicator of how many total packages are in the order (e.g., "Package 1 of 3").
