Cloud Printing for Invoices: Why Your eCommerce Store Needs It

Printing invoices manually is slow, frustrating, and prone to errors, and in eCommerce, every second matters. What if you could print invoices automatically, from anywhere, without delays? That’s precisely what cloud printing does, transforming your order fulfillment process into a smooth, hands-free operation.

Imagine this: Orders are flooding into your eCommerce store, and your team is rushing to print invoices, download PDFs, and manually send documents to various printers. Does this sound familiar? This slow, outdated method hampers efficiency and delays fulfillment, but there’s a smarter way to manage it.

Enter cloud printing. With automated, cloud-based printing, invoices are sent directly to the appropriate printer instantly, from anywhere, without you lifting a finger. No more toggling between tabs, transferring files, or dealing with printer connection issues. Cloud printing ensures your fulfillment process is seamless, quick, and hassle-free.

In this article, we’ll explore how cloud printing works, why it’s essential for modern eCommerce operations, and how to implement it for your store.

Traditional printing requires direct connections. You must be on the same network as the printer, install drivers, and manually send documents. If you’re in a different location? Too bad. You’ll have to wait.

Cloud printing changes the game.

It lets you send print jobs from anywhere to any printer without a direct connection. Instead of being tied to a specific computer or location, your invoices are automatically printed via the cloud whether you’re at your warehouse, home office, or another fulfillment center.

Cloud printing removes the hassle of manually handling invoices, allowing your eCommerce store to run smoothly and efficiently. Instead of downloading PDFs, switching between screens, or worrying about printer connections, everything happens automatically in the background.

Here’s how:

1. An Order is Placed on Your eCommerce Store

When a customer makes a purchase, your eCommerce platform triggers an automated workflow. Whether it’s WooCommerce, Shopify, or another platform, the system instantly processes the order and prepares the necessary documents, including invoices and packing slips.

2. The System Automatically Generates an Invoice

Instead of manually creating an invoice or downloading a file, the system automatically generates a PDF or print-ready invoice based on the order details. This invoice is formatted according to your business’s requirements, including customer information, product details, tax breakdowns, and shipping addresses.

3. The Invoice is Sent to a Cloud-Connected Printer

Here’s where cloud printing makes a big difference. Once the invoice is ready, it’s sent to a connected printer, no matter where it is located. This means you can:

• Print invoices in your warehouse while managing orders from home.
• Route invoices to different fulfillment centers based on order location.
• Print from multiple devices without worrying about driver installations or network limitations.

Example: If your inventory team is in a different city, invoices can be printed in their warehouse when an order is placed without you having to send a single email or file.

4. Your Team Gets Ready-to-Go Printed Invoices Instantly

Instead of waiting for files to be downloaded, attached, or manually printed, your team simply picks up the invoices from the printer, ready to be packed with the orders.

Cloud printing eliminates the hassle of printing invoices by automating the process, reducing errors, and keeping your workflow smooth. Let’s break down how it helps your business:

Faster Order Processing – Print invoices automatically without manual intervention

Imagine a customer places an order, and without you lifting a finger, the invoice prints instantly at your fulfillment center.

No downloading, no manual printing. Just automatic, real-time printing that speeds up your entire operation. The faster you print, the faster you ship!

Increased Efficiency – Reduce errors and streamline fulfillment

Manually handling invoices can lead to misplaced documents, wrong orders, or forgotten print jobs.

Cloud printing sends invoices directly to the right printer when an order is placed, reducing mistakes and keeping fulfillment teams organized. This ensures that the right order gets the right invoice every time.

Remote Accessibility – Print from anywhere, whether at the warehouse or HQ

Cloud printing frees you from being tied to a single office or computer. Whether at home, managing multiple warehouses, or traveling, you can send invoices to any connected printer from any device. This is a game-changer for businesses with multiple fulfillment locations or remote teams.

Cost Savings – No need for dedicated printing servers or extra software

Traditional printing setups often require expensive servers, networked printers, and IT maintenance.

Cloud printing eliminates the need for extra hardware—your printers connect to the cloud, and that’s it. This saves money on infrastructure while also reducing paper waste with automated, on-demand printing.

Seamless Integration – Works with popular eCommerce platforms (WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento)

Cloud printing solutions are designed to integrate effortlessly with your eCommerce store. Whether you use WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, or other platforms, cloud printing ensures that invoices are automatically generated and printed without extra steps.

Many cloud printing tools also support shipping labels, packing slips, and order summaries, making your workflow even more efficient.

The first step in setting up cloud printing for your eCommerce store is selecting a solution that aligns with your business needs. Not all cloud printing platforms are created equal. Some are designed for automated invoice and label printing, while others focus on secure remote printing or print-on-demand fulfillment.

When choosing a cloud printing tool, consider the following:

• Your eCommerce platform (WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, etc.).
• Your fulfillment workflow (automated printing, remote printing, or multi-location printing).
• Printer compatibility (modern vs. older printers, Wi-Fi vs. USB connections).
• Security needs (data encryption, print tracking, and access controls).

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best cloud printing solutions for eCommerce and what makes them stand out.

1. PrintNode – Best for Automating Invoice & Label Printing

PrintNode is one of the best choices for fully automating invoice and shipping label printing. If your business relies on fast fulfillment and hands-free printing, this lightweight solution is a great fit.

• Automatically prints invoices and shipping labels when an order is placed.
• Works seamlessly with WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and other eCommerce platforms.
• Supports multiple printers in different locations, which is ideal for businesses with warehouses or remote fulfillment centers.
• Simple, fast, and doesn’t slow down your system.

Best for: eCommerce stores that want fully automated printing for invoices, shipping labels, and packing slips without manual intervention.

2. PaperCut – Secure, Remote Printing with Cost Tracking

PaperCut is designed for businesses that need an extra layer of security, tracking, and remote access when printing invoices and other documents.

• Enables secure, remote printing – Send invoices and documents to printers across different locations.
• Tracks printing costs to help businesses reduce waste and manage print expenses.
• Works with multiple operating systems and integrates with various cloud services.
• Great for businesses that need user-based print access and permissions.

Best for: Businesses that manage multiple printers, track costs, or require secure remote printing (especially useful for larger eCommerce companies).

3. ezeep – Flexible Printing from Any Device, Anywhere

ezeep is all about flexibility—it allows you to print from any device, anywhere, making it perfect for businesses with multiple fulfillment locations or remote teams.

• Works across all devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.).
• Supports multi-location printing, allowing you to send invoices to different fulfillment centers.
• Eliminates the need for printer drivers, making setup simple and hassle-free.
• Cloud-based remote access so that you can print from anywhere in the world.

Best for: eCommerce businesses with multiple warehouses or remote teams that need on-the-go printing without complex setups.

4. Printify – Best for Print-on-Demand Automation

Printify is not just a cloud printing solution. It’s a full-fledged print-on-demand platform that automates custom product printing and order fulfillment.

• Connects directly to eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy.
• Handles printing, fulfillment, and shipping for custom products like T-shirts, mugs, and posters.
• Eliminates the need to manage inventory—products are printed only when an order is placed.
• Automates order printing and fulfillment, so you don’t have to worry about logistics.

Best for: Print-on-demand businesses that sell customized products and want an automated printing & fulfillment solution.

So, you’ve picked the right cloud printing tool! Now, the next step is connecting it to your WooCommerce platform so that invoices print automatically every time an order is placed. No more downloading PDFs, switching between screens, or manually hitting ‘Print.’

If your store runs on WooCommerce, the best way to automate invoice printing is by using the Remote Print Add-On from WebToffee. This is an extension of the PDF Invoice, Packing Slips, and Credit Notes plugin developed by WebToffee.

It seamlessly integrates with PrintNode, making it easy to print WooCommerce documents directly from any device to any printer.

This means your invoices, labels, and packing slips print instantly, even if you’re managing multiple warehouses or working remotely.

Since cloud printing involves sending print jobs over the internet, it’s crucial to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access. Here’s how:

Use Encrypted Connections

When print jobs are sent to the cloud, they contain sensitive data—like invoices, customer details, and shipping information. Always choose a cloud printing service that offers end-to-end encryption to protect this data from hackers.

Example: Services like PrintNode and PaperCut use SSL/TLS encryption, ensuring that data is securely transferred between your eCommerce platform and your printer.

Limit Printer Access

Not everyone in your organization needs access to your printers. Restrict print access to authorized users only to prevent accidental or unauthorized print jobs.

How to do this:

• Set up user permissions so only warehouse and fulfillment staff can print invoices.
• Use a secure login for cloud printing tools.
• Monitor print history logs to track who is printing what.

Regularly Update Software

Cloud printing software, like any other app, needs regular updates to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities. If you don’t update it, you risk running outdated software that hackers could exploit.

Cloud printing eliminates manual invoice printing, speeds up order fulfillment, and reduces errors, keeping your eCommerce operations smooth and efficient. With automated printing, remote access, and seamless integration, you save time, improve accuracy, and scale effortlessly.

If you’re still handling invoices the old-fashioned way, it’s time to switch to cloud printing and experience a more efficient, hands-free workflow.

Hope this article has helped clarify cloud printing and how it can improve your eCommerce operations. If you have any questions or feedback, please share your thoughts in the comments. We’re eager to hear from you!