Comparison
SPConnector vs manual printing vs Zapier
There are three common ways to handle Shippo packing slips. Here's how they compare, so you can pick what fits your volume.
The options
Side-by-side comparison
| Manual Printing | Zapier / Make | SPConnector | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work per order | Find, download, and print each slip | None once the workflow runs | None |
| Cost model | Your time | Per-task pricing | Free up to 100 orders, then a flat $29-79/mo |
| Setup | None | Build and test a workflow | Two API keys and a printer pick |
| Multi-printer support | You choose each time | Build the logic yourself | Built-in routing rules (Business+) |
| Maintenance | None | You fix steps that break | We run and maintain it |
| Automatic failover | No | No | Yes (Business+) |
Differentiators
What SPConnector does differently
Made for Shippo packing slips
There are no workflows to build or fields to map. Enter your Shippo and PrintNode API keys, pick your printer, and new orders start printing.
Flat monthly pricing
Zapier and Make bill per task, so every order adds to the bill. SPConnector is free up to 100 orders a month, and $79/month covers unlimited orders.
Multi-printer routing built in
Route by order value, marketplace, shipping speed, or destination state from the settings page, with automatic failover when a printer goes offline.
We run it
A Zapier workflow can stop working when an API changes or a step fails. SPConnector is a managed service, so the polling, retries, and error handling are our job.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to automatically print Shippo packing slips?
Use a tool that watches Shippo for new orders and sends each packing slip to your printer. SPConnector does this through PrintNode: it checks Shippo every 60 seconds, downloads each new slip, and prints it. You can also build a workflow in Zapier or Make, but you'll maintain it yourself.
How does SPConnector compare to manual printing?
Printing by hand means logging into Shippo, finding each order, downloading the packing slip PDF, and printing it. SPConnector does those steps for every order without you.
Can I use Zapier to print Shippo packing slips?
Yes, but you'll need a multi-step workflow with its own error handling, and you pay per task. Multi-printer routing, automatic failover, and duplicate prevention all need custom logic in Zapier.
Is SPConnector worth the cost compared to doing it manually?
If you ship a few orders a day, printing by hand is fine. As volume grows, the time adds up. The Starter plan is free for up to 100 orders a month, so you can try it on your own orders before paying anything.
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 their packing slips.
Try it alongside what you do now
Leave test mode on and check SPConnector against your current process before any slip prints.
Free plan · No credit card