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Set up batch shipping

Table of contents

Overview

Batch shipping allows you to hold all orders until a specified deadline when they will get transferred to the lab in a single batch. This lets you offer free shipping as a financial incentive without absorbing shipping fees per order. In this article, you'll learn how to add batch shipping to your photo jobs.

Pro tip: When offering batch shipping, add a coupon to promote free shipping on QR cards and emails—this can boost urgency and order volume.

Coupon settings showing 'Offer free shipping to your customers' checkbox selected with red arrow.

Make sure your coupon deadline matches your batch shipping deadline.
Learn more about job-specific coupons.

Enabling batch shipping in your account

If you don’t see the batch shipping option in job settings, enable it on your account via the Shipping Settings page (called “Postage Settings” in the UK) on the Online Shop section.

Example showing shipping settings with batch shipping toggle enabled and pointing arrow.

Enabling batch shipping in your photo job

To activate batch shipping for a photo job, tick the Batch shipping box on your photo job main settings page, and select the batch close deadline.

Batch shipping enabled in job settings, deadline set, manual processing selected.

You can add multiple batches per job; only the first two auto-transfer. Additional batches must be sent manually.

  • Manual processing: You're in control—send the batch when you're ready.
  • Automatic processing: The system sends the batch automatically when it closes.

For manual processing, go to the Batch shipping tab under Orders, click Open next to the batch, then select Send batch to lab.

Orders page showing Batch shipping tab with list of batches.

Note: Batch shipping enabled on one job type applies to future jobs of the same type, though you can adjust settings per job at any time.

The default delivery address for the batch is set on your Invoice Settings page. To send to a different address, click Change next to the address (save the job first if not visible), uncheck “Use my address,” enter the new address, then click Acknowledge & Save.

Batch shipping with manual processing and address fields showing 'change address' option.

Using both batch shipping and direct shipping

For non‑Prepay jobs, you can offer both batch and direct shipping. Enable this by checking the Also allow direct shipping option.

Checkbox labeled 'Also allow direct shipping' enabled in job settings.

Note: In Prepay jobs, you must choose either direct shipping or batch shipping—not both.

Extended batch shipping options

Important: Extended options are only available for non‑Prepay jobs.

Clicking on Extended batch shipping options opens advanced settings to manage shop messaging and delivery preferences:

Customer information

  • After the deadline, photos will be available in (days)... Enter the number of days to add after the batch deadline to show an expected delivery date (e.g., a 10‑day buffer). Use “0” to hide the estimate.
  • Photos are always directed to Establishment; this cannot be edited.

Customer information example dropdown set to 'Establishment'.

Delivery information

Note: These delivery settings are carried over if the job uses a familiar job type. Otherwise, they default to unchecked.

  • Pass names from names list…
    The student names entered in the job settings transfer to orders automatically for improved accuracy.
  • Show available folders…
    Enables a dropdown selection for recipients. If unchecked, a free-text option is used—riskier due to typos.
  • Ask for address information in checkout…
    Typically unnecessary for batch shipping; only activate if specific fulfillment needs arise.

FAQs

Are there any fees associated with batch shipping?

US and Canadian flag icon.North American customers:
You’ll receive the shipping invoice directly from the lab; GotPhoto does not bill this cost.
GB flag icon.UK customers:
Shipping costs are billed through GotPhoto and will appear on your invoice.

How does the batch shipping deadline work?

Automatic processing: Clients can order until midnight of the batch deadline date. After that, the batch closes and processing begins.

Manual processing: Orders may still be added after the deadline as long as the batch has not been sent yet.

The takeaway

Supercharge your fulfillment workflow with batch shipping! Consolidating orders into batch transfers streamlines lab coordination, reduces overhead, and improves delivery consistency.

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