Whether you’re shipping handmade jewelry or bulk office supplies, a
But what are packing slips? How do you create one that works for your business? This blog post answers these questions and more and gives you everything you need to streamline your shipping process.
What is a packing slip?
A delivery note is a document that accompanies the shipped goods, with a detailed description of the contents of each package. Think of it as a road map for you
Unlike an invoice, which focuses on payment details and prices, a delivery note focuses purely on the physical contents of the shipment.
The packing list usually contains:
- Order number for easy reference
- Customer information, including shipping address
- Product descriptions with SKU numbers if applicable
- The quantity of each item shipped
- Date sent
- Special handling instructions if necessary.
Most packing slips are printed on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper and placed inside or attached to the outside of packages. They act as a communication bridge between your warehouse team, shippers and customers, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page during the delivery process.
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The purpose of packing briefs
Why do businesses need packing slips? The answer lies in the many benefits these documents provide throughout your operation.
Inventory control and accuracy
Bills of lading act as your first line of defense against shipping errors. When your team uses the packing slip to verify package contents before closing the boxes, they catch errors before customers do. This simple quality control step dramatically reduces costly returns and exchanges.
Your warehouse staff can take a quick look at the packing slip to make sure the correct items and quantities have gone into each package. There’s no need to wonder if that medium-sized blue sweater really belongs to Mrs. Johnson
Improved customer experience
Customers appreciate knowing exactly what they are getting, especially for large or complex orders. A clear packing list allows them to verify delivery immediately after opening the package. This transparency builds trust and reduces customer service inquiries about missing or incorrect items.
When customers can easily match the items they receive with their expectations, they are more likely to become repeat buyers. HAS
Simplified processing of returns
Returns are inevitable in retail, but packing slips make the process easier for everyone involved. When customers need to return items, they can refer to the delivery note where they can identify specific products and order details. Your customer service team can quickly locate the original order and process returns more efficiently.
This documentation will also help you identify return patterns, possibly uncover product quality issues or shipping issues that need to be addressed.
Legal and financial protection
Receipts serve as proof of what was shipped and when. In the event of shipping disputes or insurance claims, these documents provide valuable evidence of package contents and delivery dates. They create a paper trail that protects your business interests while maintaining professional standards.
How to create a delivery note
Creating packing slips does not require advanced design skills or expensive software. Follow these simple steps to create packing slips that work for your business.
Step 1: Choose your format
Decide whether to create the packing slips digitally using software such as Microsoft Word, Excel or Google Docs, or use specialized shipping software. Digital formats offer more flexibility and easier customization, while specialized software often includes automation features.
Consider the volume of the order when making this choice.
Step 2: Include basic information
Start with your business header, including your company name, logo, and contact information. This branding reinforces your professional image and provides customers with an easy reference for future orders.
Add dedicated sections for:
- Order number and date
- Customer name and shipping address
- Detailed product list
- Quantity and description fields
- Any special notes or instructions.
If you sell products with expiration dates, serial numbers, or other tracking information, add dedicated fields to capture these details on delivery notes.
Step 3: Design for clarity
Use clean, legible fonts. Organize information into logical sections with clear headings and adequate white space. Remember that warehouse workers often work quickly, so clarity trumps creativity.
Consider using tables to organize product information, as they are easier to scan than paragraph formats. Prominent important elements such as order numbers and customer names help staff quickly find key details.
Pay attention to print quality and paper durability, especially if the wrapping sheets will be exposed to storage conditions or weather during shipping.
Pro tips:
- Consider adding your return policy or customer service contact information to the package along with packing slips to help customers
after delivery questions. - Include space for staff initials or signatures to maintain accountability in the packaging process.
Download the panties packaging template
Download this free delivery note template designed specifically for small businesses. This template includes all the essential elements described above and can be easily customized with your business information.
Download the template
How to use the packing slip template
The procedure is straightforward:
- Download the template and save it to your computer
- Replace the placeholder text with your business name, logo and contact information
- Customize product fields to match your inventory system
- Print several copies to ensure proper formatting
- Train your team on proper completion and use.
Adjust colors, fonts, and layout elements to match your brand identity while maintaining the functional structure that makes packing slips effective.
Instantly generate packing panties
Manually creating packing slips for each order happens
If you use Ecwid by Lightspeed for your online store, you don’t have to create a packing list from scratch or struggle with templates for each order. You can easily print orders!
A print order is a summary of order details that confirms successful order entry. You can use them as packing slips to ensure all ordered products are boxed before shipping.
With one click you can print the order and get a
Ecwid’s default printable order template is designed to work for any business. It includes the name and address of your company, the name of the buyer and the delivery address, the payment and shipping methods chosen, the details of the product ordered and the total amount of the order.
A sample packing slip that you can generate in your Ecwid store with just a click
Ecwid
Plus, your team can quickly find an order by scanning its barcode on a printable order with the Ecwid Mobile app, helping your team process orders faster.
For more information about print orders, visit the Help Center.
Streamline shipping with Ecwid
That’s not all! Ecwid offers much more than just printable orders. The platform includes robust shipping tools designed to streamline the entire order preparation process.
You must purchase and print a shipping label to ship your order. The shipping label acts as a stamp because it shows that you have paid the correct amount of postage. It also provides career information
Ecwid users can buy and print shipping labels directly from your Ecwid admin. Prices are lower than post office retail rates and order details are entered automatically. This will save you time and money while ensuring the accuracy of your shipping process.
For more information on purchasing and printing shipping labels, contact your Ecwid administrator.
This integration eliminates the need to manually enter customer information multiple times, reducing errors and speeding up the fulfillment process. Your team can process orders from start to finish without switching between multiple platforms or systems.
Take your business to the next level
Packing slips may seem like a small detail, but they play a vital role in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. From preventing shipping errors to enhancing your professional image, these simple documents deliver significant value for minimal investment.
Take advantage of Ecwid by Lightspeed’s automated solutions to streamline the entire shipping process. Your customers will appreciate the attention to detail, your team will work more efficiently, and your business will benefit from greater accuracy and professionalism.
Explore Ecwid by Lightspeed’s end-to-end eCommerce solution and see how the right tools can help your small business compete with larger retailers while maintaining the personal touch that sets you apart.