Why Would You Need Picking Lists?
Picking lists are critical for simplifying the process of gathering items for multiple orders at once. Instead of fulfilling orders one by one, a picking list groups all the products needed for several orders, allowing your warehouse team to retrieve items more efficiently. This reduces the number of trips through the warehouse, minimizes mistakes, and speeds up the fulfillment process. By using picking lists, you can significantly cut down on the time it takes to prepare orders for shipping, resulting in faster deliveries and happier customers.
Key benefits: Increased fulfillment speed, fewer picking errors, and better warehouse efficiency.
Combined Data from Many Orders
One of the major advantages of using picking lists is that they combine data from many orders into a single, easy-to-read document. Instead of picking products for one order at a time, your team can retrieve all the items needed across multiple orders in one go. Shopify apps like Printrooster Order Printing allows you to generate consolidated picking lists that break down each item, the quantity needed, and its location, streamlining the entire picking process. This also helps you keep track of inventory more effectively as you’re consistently aware of which products are being moved and fulfilled.
Key benefits: Streamlined product retrieval, time savings, and more efficient management of large order volumes.
Different Areas of the Warehouse
For businesses with larger warehouses or those that manage multiple areas—such as cold storage, general storage, or separate packing zones—organizing picking lists by warehouse area can greatly enhance efficiency. Create picking lists that makes segments according to different areas, so your team can handle specific zones without unnecessary movement between sections. This not only saves time but also ensures that staff are working in a focused manner within their designated areas, reducing the chances of miss picking or delays.
For businesses using multiple warehouse locations or departments (e.g., packing, receiving, or specialized storage areas), Printrooster Order Printing's multi-location features can ensure that picking lists are segmented accordingly.
Key benefits: Efficient management of large or divided warehouses, reduced movement between zones, and improved accuracy in picking.
With Printrooster Order Printing you can categorize your orders automatically under different print buttons.
Things to Consider for your Picking Lists
Line Item Sequence Within the Picking List
Organizing the picking list by the sequence of items can make the process even more efficient. Create a picking list so you can customize the line item sequence to match the layout of your warehouse. For instance, if certain items are stored in close proximity, arranging them in that order on the picking list reduces unnecessary back-and-forth walking. You can also prioritize items based on how quickly they need to be packed and shipped, ensuring that high-priority orders are processed first.
This method reduces picking time and ensures your team follows a logical, efficient route through the warehouse.
Key benefits: Optimized picking routes, faster fulfillment, and a more structured order-picking process.
LIQUID | Sort line items in picking list by SKU
LIQUID | Sort line items in picking list by variant metafield shelf number
Shelf Numbers / Bin Numbers for Products
Including shelf numbers on your picking list is essential for organizing your warehouse and speeding up the picking process. Shopify apps like Printrooster Order Printing enables you to attach specific shelf or bin locations to each product, making it easy for your staff to locate items. By displaying these shelf numbers directly on the picking list, you can create a smooth, guided workflow for your team, allowing them to move through the warehouse systematically and retrieve items with minimal effort.
An organized warehouse paired with a picking list that includes shelf numbers ensures that the picking process is not only faster but also far less prone to mistakes.
Key benefits: Quicker item retrieval, reduced errors in picking, and optimized warehouse navigation.
LIQUID | Shelf number from variant metafield
With Printrooster Order Printing you can add shelf/bin numbers for line items and use that data to sort the line items within your order invoice template, packing slip or picking lists.
Separate Picking Lists for Different Kind of Products
Not all products require the same handling during the picking process. By creating separate picking lists for different types of products, you can ensure that each item is picked and packed according to its specific requirements. For example, fragile items may need to be handled with extra care, while perishable products require faster processing or special storage conditions. Printrooster Order Printing allows you to categorize products within designated printing buttons and generate tailored picking lists based on their attributes—such as order-, product- and customer information.
This approach not only helps protect product quality during fulfillment but also improves workflow efficiency by grouping similar items together for picking.
Key benefits: Better handling of specialized products, improved workflow organization, and reduced chances of product damage or mismanagement.
3. Conclusion
Picking lists are a vital part of creating a smooth, efficient order fulfillment process, especially as your business grows. By leveraging Shopify apps capabilities, you can generate picking lists that combine data from multiple orders, include shelf numbers for easy retrieval, and organize items based on the layout of your warehouse. Whether your business operates from a small warehouse or a large fulfillment center, customized picking lists will help optimize your order processing, ensuring faster deliveries and happier customers.
