Print Chain
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Your Print Chain is the list of document types an order should receive. Add a packing slip for every order, an invoice for wholesale orders, or a gift receipt only when an order is a gift. Autoprinter checks the list and prints what applies.
Print Rules choose the template; Print Chain chooses the documents; Automatic Printing chooses when the chain runs. You can use a chain manually without turning Automatic Printing on.
Build your chain#
- Enable or create a template for each document type you need in Templates.
- Open Print Rules → Print Chain.
- Choose a document type and click Add to chain. You can add packing slips, invoices, return slips, and gift receipts.
- Choose Always print or Only when a rule matches for each item.
- Set copies from 1 to 10, and use the arrows to arrange the list.
- Click Save chain.
An unsaved change does not change what prints. Removing an item from the chain leaves its templates and rules available for individual printing.
Decide which orders get each document#
| Setting | What happens |
|---|---|
| Always print | Uses the first matching Print Rule's template, or the default template when no rule matches. A usable template is still required. |
| Only when a rule matches | Prints only when one of this document type's rules matches. No match means no document, even if a default template exists. |
For example, add an invoice rule for Tags contains wholesale, then set Invoice to Only when a rule matches. Wholesale orders receive an invoice; other orders skip it.
Add at least one rule before choosing the conditional setting. If all rules for a conditional item are later removed, that item has nothing to match and will not print. The Chain tab warns you when setup needs attention.
Three ways to run it#
| Workflow | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Send straight to printers | Open an order → More actions → Auto Print Chain. This queues the applicable documents for your Print Stations and Desktop Utility, with the chain's copy counts. Also available for selected orders from the bulk More actions menu. |
| Print on an order event | Enable Settings → Automatic Printing and choose when an order is placed, paid, or fulfilled. Read Automatic Printing before enabling it. |
| Preview and browser-print | Open an order → Print → Autoprinter → Use Print Chain. Applicable documents open in one combined preview. Also available for multiple selected orders. No paired device is needed. |
Copy counts apply to queued printing. The combined browser preview does not repeat documents according to the chain's copy counts; set copies in your browser's print dialog instead.
The station selected by each matching rule determines where its document goes. Otherwise the default station is used. A chain can therefore send different documents to different stations. Multi-Location Printing explains split orders.
What stays outside the chain#
- Pick slips cover a batch of orders. Select orders and choose a pick slip from the Print → Autoprinter picker.
- Shipping labels come from Shopify's purchased-label PDF. The Chrome Extension captures them separately; the chain does not buy or generate shipping labels.
Check the outcome#
Queued jobs appear in Print History. Browser previews do not create jobs there. If a document is missing, check that its template is available, its conditions match, and your monthly order allowance is available.
For combined previews with custom templates, scope your CSS under a document-specific class, such as .my-invoice h1, to prevent styles from affecting another document. Built-in and sample templates already use scoped styles.
All plans include Print Chain, subject to the monthly order allowance.
Need help? Use Need help? inside the app or email support@autoprinter.app.