Guide
Multi-printer routing explained
With more than one printer, SPConnector decides where each packing slip prints. You can split the load, fail over when a printer goes offline, and send certain orders to a specific printer.
By the SPConnector team at JonesLabs LLC · Last updated: October 2026
The problem
Why one printer stops being enough
As order volume grows, one printer starts to hold things up.
It's a bottleneck
One printer only goes so fast. On busy days your team ends up standing around waiting for slips.
It's a single point of failure
A paper jam or empty cartridge stops every shipment until someone notices.
Every order lands in one pile
High-value, express, and marketplace orders all print to the same spot, no matter who packs them or where.
Strategies
Four printing strategies
A strategy decides how an order prints across a group of printers. You set a default strategy, and each routing rule can use its own.
Round-robin
Orders take turns across your printers, so two printers share the work evenly.
Pick this if: "My printer can't keep up."
Failover
Orders go to your primary printer. If it goes offline, they switch to the backup automatically.
Pick this if: "I can't afford printing downtime."
Print-to-all
Every order prints on every printer you choose, for example one copy at the packing station and another at the shipping desk.
Pick this if: "I need copies at multiple spots."
Random
Each order goes to a printer picked at random from the group. Over many orders, the work spreads out.
Pick this if: "Any printer in the group will do."
Rules
Routing rules
A rule sends matching orders to specific printers. Rules can check order value, express shipping, marketplace, and destination state. When a rule checks more than one, an order has to match all of them. Orders that match no rule use your default printer and strategy.
Geography
East coast orders print at the east coast warehouse, west coast orders at the west.
Marketplace
Amazon orders print at one station and Etsy orders at another, so each team has its own stack.
Order value
Orders over $500 print in the secure packing area, where they get extra care.
Shipping speed
Express and overnight orders print at their own station, so they go out first.
Setup
Set it up in minutes
If your printers are already on PrintNode, you're most of the way there.
- 1
Add your PrintNode API key
Every printer on your PrintNode account shows up in SPConnector automatically.
- 2
Pick printers, strategy, and rules
Select which printers to use, choose a strategy, and add any routing rules you need.
- 3
Verify in test mode, then go live
Leave test mode on while you check the setup, then switch it off.
Multi-printer routing is included in the Business plan (2 printers) and Enterprise plan (unlimited printers).
Ready to add more printers?
Start with one printer on the free plan. Upgrade when you need more.
Free plan · No credit card