Comparison
SPConnector vs Manual Printing vs Zapier
There are several ways to handle Shippo packing slip printing. Here's an honest look at the options so you can pick what fits your business.
The options
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Manual Printing | Zapier / Make | SPConnector | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time per order | 2-3 minutes | ~30 seconds (automated) | 0 seconds (fully automatic) |
| Monthly cost | $0 (your time) | $20-70+ (per-task pricing) | $0-79 (flat monthly) |
| Setup time | None | 1-2 hours (build workflows) | 5 minutes |
| Multi-printer support | Manual selection | Complex workflow needed | Built-in routing rules |
| Maintenance | None | Fix broken workflows | None (managed service) |
| Shippo integration | Native (manual) | Via API connector | Native (purpose-built) |
| Automatic failover | No | No | Yes (Business+) |
Differentiators
Where SPConnector wins
Purpose-built for Shippo packing slips
No workflows to build, no API mapping, no per-task billing. Enter your Shippo API key, pick your printer, and it works.
Flat pricing that doesn't punish growth
Zapier and Make bill per task — 500 orders means 500 tasks. SPConnector is a flat monthly fee: free up to 100 orders, and $79/month covers unlimited orders.
Multi-printer routing without complexity
Route by order value, marketplace, shipping speed, or destination from a simple interface — automatic failover included.
Zero maintenance
Zapier workflows break when APIs change or a step fails silently. SPConnector is managed — we handle the polling, retries, and error recovery.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to automatically print Shippo packing slips?
The fastest and most reliable method is a dedicated integration like SPConnector. It monitors your Shippo account for new orders, downloads packing slips automatically, and sends them to your printer via PrintNode. Setup takes about 5 minutes and requires no coding or workflow building.
How does SPConnector compare to manual printing?
Manual printing means logging into Shippo, finding each order, downloading the packing slip PDF, opening it, and hitting print for every order. At 2-3 minutes per order, 50 daily orders costs nearly 2 hours. SPConnector automates the entire process with no manual steps.
Can I use Zapier to print Shippo packing slips?
Technically yes, but it requires building a multi-step workflow with error handling and per-task costs. For multi-printer routing, automatic failover, and duplicate prevention, you'll outgrow what Zapier can do without significant custom logic.
Is SPConnector worth the cost compared to doing it manually?
If you're shipping more than about 10 orders per day, yes. The Starter plan is free for up to 100 orders per month. At 50+ orders per day, you save roughly 2 hours of daily manual work. The Business plan pays for itself in less than a day.
Does SPConnector work with all e-commerce platforms?
SPConnector works with any platform that connects to Shippo — including Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, Wix, and Walmart. If your orders appear in Shippo, SPConnector can print the packing slips automatically.
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