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Work Orders

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. When to Submit a Work Order
  3. Work Order Request Type
  4. Work Order Categories
  5. Kit-to-Stock vs. Kit-to-Order
  6. Recommended Workflow Approach
  7. Work Order Process
  8. Scheduling & Lead Time
  9. Quote
  10. Work Order Minimum Charge
  11. Order Automation Workflows
  12. Summary

Overview

A Work Order is used to request project-based services that fall outside of standard fulfillment.

Standard fulfillment includes routine pick, pack, and ship operations for both DTC (direct-to-consumer) and B2B (wholesale) orders using ship-ready inventory. These workflows are optimized for speed and do not support custom handling or one-off instructions.

Ship-ready products are fully prepared for fulfillment and do not require any additional work prior to shipment. This means items are already correctly packaged, labeled, and configured for direct pick, pack, and ship.

Work Orders are required for any services that involve additional handling, preparation, or modification of inventory, such as:

  • Kitting or bundling (Kit-to-Stock*)
  • Assembly
  • Custom labeling or relabeling (outside of standard print-ready retailer case / pallet labels)
  • Repackaging
  • Any custom order handling or special instructions

When to Submit a Work Order

Submit a Work Order when your request requires manual work outside of standard fulfillment workflows, or when inventory must be prepared, modified, or assembled before it can be shipped.

Standard pick, pack, and ship does not require a Work Order.

For optimal fulfillment speed and efficiency, we recommend preparing inventory in advance whenever possible.

Work Order Request Type

When submitting a Work Order, you will be asked how you would like your request to be processed:

  • Request a Quote First
    Submit your request for review and pricing before scheduling. Our team will evaluate the scope of work and provide a quote for approval.
  • Proceed with Scheduling
    Submit your request to move directly into scheduling once all materials and instructions are confirmed. Work will be scheduled and billed according to standard rates.

Work Order Categories

Work Orders are categorized based on the type of work being performed. These categories help ensure proper planning, labor allocation, and execution.

Inventory-Based Work (Returns to Inventory)

These project types involve preparing, modifying, or assembling inventory before it is available for fulfillment:

  • Kitting / Bundling (Kit-to-Stock)
    Combining multiple products into a single SKU or packaged set.
  • Assembly (e.g., displays, die-cut boxes)
    Building or assembling products or packaging components.
  • Inventory Preparation (e.g., barcoding, labeling, repacking)
    Preparing inventory for storage or future fulfillment.

These work orders result in finished goods being received back into inventory for future orders.

Outbound Work (Order-Specific Preparation)

  • Custom Order Handling & Preparation
    For outbound orders requiring handling beyond standard pick, pack, and ship. This includes special instructions such as custom labeling, repackaging, or other non-standard requirements.

These work orders are tied to specific shipments and do not return inventory to stock.

Other

  • Other
    Use this option for requests that do not clearly fall into the categories above. Our team will review and route accordingly.

Kit to Stock vs. Kit to Order

Kit to Stock

Kits are assembled in advance and received back into inventory as a finished SKU.

Best for:

  • High-volume or repeat orders
  • Kits requiring specific packaging instructions or presentation (e.g., branded unboxing experience)
  • Pre-configured bundles that should be ship-ready

Kits are built ahead of time via Work Orders and flow through standard fulfillment.

Kit to Order

Items are picked and combined at the time of order fulfillment.

Best for:

  • Simple bundles where items only need to be shipped together
  • No special packaging, labeling, or assembly required

Simple kit to order SKUs do not require a Work Order and can flow through standard fulfillment.  Setup a Kit-to-Order at the Product level (see Products section).

Recommended Workflow Approach

Whenever possible, we recommend using inventory-based work orders to prepare products in advance and receive finished goods back into inventory.

This allows your items to become ship-ready and flow through standard fulfillment for both DTC and B2B orders—resulting in faster processing, greater efficiency, and reduced costs.

Work Orders Graphic

Inventory vs. Outbound Work Orders

  • Inventory-Based Work Orders (Kitting, Assembly, Inventory Preparation)
    Used to prepare products in advance and return them to inventory for future fulfillment.
  • Outbound Work Orders (Custom Order Handling & Preparation)
    Used for order-specific handling that cannot be completed in advance.

Best Practice

Outbound work orders should be reserved for one-off or highly specialized scenarios.

Submitting outbound work orders for multiple shipments can introduce delays and reduce fulfillment efficiency. Preparing inventory in advance is the preferred and most scalable approach.

Work Order Process

To ensure accurate execution and scheduling, Work Orders must follow the steps below:

1. Create a Manual Order (Pull Materials from Inventory)

Create a Manual Order (Shipment Order, Type: Work Order) in your dashboard to move all required materials from inventory into a designated work order location.

This should include:

  • All products (SKUs) involved in the project
  • Client specific packaging materials
  • Marketing inserts or collateral

All materials must be received and available in inventory prior to scheduling.

2. Create a Purchase Order (Receive Finished Goods)

Create a Purchase Order (PO Type: Work Order) in your dashboard to receive the completed items back into inventory once the project is finished.

This ensures:

  • Finished goods are properly accounted for
  • Inventory is updated with new or modified SKUs
  • Items are available for future fulfillment

3. Submit the Work Order Form

Submit the Work Order Form under Operations via the Help Center to provide all required project details and request scheduling.

Be sure to include:

  • Detailed instructions (packaging, labeling, handling, etc.)
  • Order Codes (Shipment Order + Purchase Order)
  • Any required attachments (guides, visuals, printouts, etc.)

Work Orders will be reviewed and scheduled once:

  • All materials are available in inventory
  • Instructions are complete and confirmed

Scheduling & Lead Time

Work Orders are typically scheduled to start within 5–10 business days of submission, depending on project scope and complexity.

Scheduling begins once:

  • All required materials have been received
  • Project instructions are finalized and approved

Quote

When submitting a Work Order, you may choose to:

  • Request a quote first, or
  • Proceed directly to scheduling

If you request a quote, our team will review your submission and provide pricing before scheduling begins.

Work Order Minimum Charge

All Work Orders are subject to a $300 minimum charge.

Work Orders involve dedicated coordination, labor, and quality control processes. A minimum charge helps ensure each project is executed accurately and efficiently.

Order Automation Workflows

Certain repeatable packing instructions can be implemented through order automation workflows across both DTC and B2B channels.

For simple, scalable requirements—such as adding inserts, stickers, or custom packaging—please submit a request through the Help Center to discuss automation options with our operations team.

Summary

Work Orders provide a structured way to request and execute non-standard fulfillment work while maintaining inventory accuracy and operational efficiency.

For best results, we recommend preparing inventory in advance and leveraging standard fulfillment workflows whenever possible.