You can easily automate and send PDF invoices for WooCommerce orders using a free invoice generator plugin like WooCommerce PDF Invoices and Packing Slips by WebToffee. After activating the plugin, enable invoice generation, choose the order statuses that should automatically generate and attach the PDF invoice, and update the settings. Then, go to the Customize tab to adjust the invoice layout to match your branding. Once configured, the plugin automatically generates electronic invoices and attaches them to the customer’s order emails when the order reaches the selected status.
Automating this process helps you send accurate customer invoices, reduce manual work, and maintain organized records.
In this article, you’ll learn how to automatically email invoice PDFs in WooCommerce using a free plugin.
Key Takeaways
- You can email WooCommerce invoices automatically once an order reaches a selected status such as Completed or Processing.
- Sending accurate customer invoices by email improves transparency and provides buyers with a clear billing record.
- The WebToffee WooCommerce PDF Invoices and Packing Slips plugin lets you auto-generate and attach an electronic invoice (PDF) to order emails.
- You can customize invoice numbers, formats, and configure invoice printing options right from the plugin settings.
When customers place an order in your WooCommerce store, they automatically receive an order confirmation email. Adding a PDF invoice to that email improves clarity and provides a complete billing record in one place.
Automatic invoicing allows your store to generate and email invoices once payment is confirmed. This keeps your billing process consistent while reducing manual workload.
Here’s why automatically sending customer invoices matters:
- Improves customer experience – Buyers receive a clear billing document immediately after purchase.
- Maintains accurate records – Each electronic invoice is stored with the order for easy tracking.
- Supports tax and accounting requirements – Proper invoicing simplifies reconciliation and compliance.
- Saves administrative time – Orders move through the billing workflow without extra steps.
- Strengthens brand presentation – Professionally formatted invoices reflect your store’s credibility.
- Supports invoice printing – Customers can download or print invoices directly from the email.
If you’re looking for how to email invoices in WooCommerce, configuring automatic invoice generation within your store settings is the most efficient approach.
To automatically email invoice PDFs to customers after order completion, follow these steps:
Step 1: Install and Activate WebToffee WooCommerce PDF Invoices Plugin
- From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
- Search for “WooCommerce PDF Invoices” plugin by WebToffee in the search bar.
- Install and activate the plugin on your WordPress website.

After activation, the setup wizard will prompt you to enter your store details. These details appear on your invoices and form part of your electronic invoice layout.
Did You Know?
The WebToffee WooCommerce PDF Invoices and Packing Slips plugin has 4.9 out of 5 stars average rating with 60,000+ Active installations.
Step 2: Choose WooCommerce Order Status to Automatically Send PDF Invoices
After activating the plugin, configure when WooCommerce should generate and attach the invoice PDF.
- Go to Invoice/Packing > Invoice from the WordPress sidebar menu.
- Switch on the Enable Invoice option.
- Choose a date for the invoice date.
- Choose Completed as the order status to create the invoice automatically.
- From the Attach invoice pdf in WooCommerce Email, choose the order status to automatically attach the PDF invoice.
- Enable the Show Print Invoice button for customers to let customers print invoices directly from the order email. This also allows them to print invoices from the order listing and order details pages.

Note: The order status selected for invoice creation must match the status selected for attaching invoices to email notifications.
Step 3: Choose an Invoice Number Format
Setting up a proper invoice number format helps you track and manage invoices efficiently.
- Choose a prefix and suffix for your invoice numbers (for example, INV or 2026).
- Define the invoice number length if you want padded numbers such as 0001 or 0100.
- Set the starting number for invoice generation.

- Click on Update Settings to save the changes.
A custom invoice number example could look like: INV-0002-2026
Once these settings are saved, WooCommerce will automatically generate the invoice and attach it to the order email when the selected order status is triggered. Customers will receive the invoice as a PDF attachment along with their order notification.

We’ve already covered how to automatically generate and attach invoice PDFs to WooCommerce order emails, but that’s only a part of what this invoice generator plugin can do. When paired with premium add-ons such as PDF Invoices & Packing Slips for WooCommerce and Customizer for WooCommerce PDF Invoices, you gain access to a wide range of advanced customization features.
These premium add-ons unlock both code-based customization and a block-based editor, allowing you to tailor every detail of your invoice layout. If you’d like a full walkthrough on customizing WooCommerce invoice PDFs, check out the detailed guide linked below.
Invoicing refers to generating a formal billing document after a customer places an order. In WooCommerce, this means creating an electronic invoice in PDF format and attaching it to the order email for recordkeeping and payment confirmation.
You can configure invoice numbers inside the invoice plugin settings by setting a prefix, suffix, starting number, and number length. For example, an invoice number example could be INV-000245. Structured numbering improves tracking and accounting accuracy.
A commercial invoice is a required document used for international shipping and customs documentation. It includes product value, quantity, and buyer details.
Customers usually pay the invoice during checkout. If the invoice includes a payment link, they can use that link to complete payment.
Automating how you email WooCommerce invoices helps standardize your billing workflow and improve communication with customers. Once configured, the system generates an electronic invoice and attaches it to the appropriate order email based on the selected status.
With the right setup, you can:
- Send customer invoices by email immediately after payment
- Maintain structured invoice numbering
- Support invoice printing directly from order emails
- Keep organized records for accounting and tax reporting
By using a reliable WooCommerce PDF invoice plugin, you can handle invoices by email without manual follow-ups or additional tools.
Now that you know how to email invoices automatically in WooCommerce, you can implement the setup and streamline your store’s invoicing process.
Thanks for reading!
Comments (3)
Ravi
November 30, 2021
Invoice attachment is not working for custom order status emails. Please help
Hemen Derki
March 31, 2021
Hello!
I have a user role for whole sale clients. Is it possible to send the invoice automatically only to the whole sale juser role?
Mark
April 16, 2021
Hi Hemen,
Sorry to let you down, but currently we do not have any filters/options to achieve this.