Explains how to connect a store and postage account, and how to set your label layout when you log in for the first time.
There are four essential things you need to do before you create labels in ShipStation:
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Connect your Store
The most common way to import orders is through a connected store (although this is not the only way to bring in orders to ShipStation).
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Connect a Postage Account
Connect your existing accounts to view rates and request labels.
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Set Your Label Layout
Set your label format and configure your printer.
For maximum efficiency, install ShipStation's printer app: ShipStation Connect.
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Enter a Ship From Location
The Ship From Location tells ShipStation where you are shipping from, which is required before your postage provider will return a rate.
Once you have completed these four steps, you can start creating labels for your orders!
Return to the Welcome Screen
If you navigate away from the Welcome screen before you have completed all the steps, click the Onboard tab at the top to return.
This video demonstrates how to set up your ShipStation account from the first time you login, and guides you through creating and printing your first label.
Click the chapter markers in the video if you wish to jump ahead to another section.
ShipStation University Intro to ShipStation Course
If learning by doing is more your style, take the ShipStation University Intro to ShipStation course. The lesson videos will show you how to navigate ShipStation, connect stores and carrier accounts, import orders, configure your shipments, and create your labels!
If you just started your ShipStation trial, the first screen will prompt you to connect a selling channel.
A connection to your online store is the most common way to get orders into ShipStation so you can create labels for your online store. However, you can manually create orders in ShipStation without a connected store, and you can use the ShipStation Rate Calculator to create a label without an order. If you do not need to connect a store at this time, go ahead to the Connect a Shipping Carrier section.
To connect your store so you can import orders:
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Click Connect a Channel.
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Select the store platform you want to connect from the list.
Type the store platform name into the search bar to filter which options you see.
Follow the on screen instructions to connect your store.
Store Connection Steps
The specific steps to connect your store will differ from selling channel to selling channel. For more information on a specific store connection process, go to Integrations Help and click on your selling channel name.
You may continue to add selling channels in this screen, or go on to the next step. You can always add more selling channels later by going to Settings > Selling Channels > Store Setup.
If you just started your ShipStation trial, the Onboard screen will prompt you to set up a shipping carrier.
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Click Set up carriers.
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Choose the carrier you want to add.
Follow the on screen instructions to add your carrier account.
Set up a specific Carriers
The specific steps and information necessary to connect your account will vary from carrier to carrier. For more information on a specific carrier process and requirement, go to Integrations Help and click on your carrier's name.
You may continue to add carrier accounts in the Welcome screen, or go on to the next step. You can always add more carriers later by going to Settings > Shipping > Carriers & Fulfillment.
Tell ShipStation whether you print labels to a thermal label printer or to a standard desktop printer.
All labels created in ShipStation are 4" × 6" labels, similar to 100mm x 150mm or A5. This size is suitable for thermal label printers. If you use an inkjet or laser printer to print multiple labels on a standard A4 sheet, ShipStation adjusts the label orientation 90 degrees to print two labels horizontally.
To select a label layout:
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Click Select a Label Layout.
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Select the format that matches the type of printer you use. Select whether to print only the labels or to print labels and packing slips together.
Choose one of the 4" x 6" options if you use a thermal label printer, like a DYMO or Zebra.
Choose one of the 8.5" x 11" options if you use an inkjet or laser printer.
Click Save Settings.
Label Formats with Packing Slips
If you select a label format that includes a packing slip, your label and packing slip will always print together when printing a label. You can still print packing slips separately, but the packing slip format is determined by the label document options. You will not be able to set a unique packing slip format for printing individual packing slips.
You can change your label layout at any time in Settings > Printing > Printing Setup > Label Document Options.
You have now completed the Welcome screen!
Next, you will import orders from your connected store.
To successfully calculate rates and print labels, you must add the address where the package ships from. We call this a Ship From Location.
To set up a Ship From Location in the Onboard screen:
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Click Set Ship From Location.
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Enter a Ship From Address nickname (this is how ShipStation will refer to this address in drop-down menus).
Then, fill in the fields for the Pickup Address.
If your Return Address is different than the Pickup Address, uncheck Use Pickup Address as Return address and enter the return address.
Click Save when finished.
You can now click Complete Setup and start shipping! ShipStation will take you to your orders screen so you begin importing or creating orders.