For online stores, speed and accuracy are crucial. Every minute spent manually printing shipping labels, packing slips, or invoices can add up to hours lost per week – especially during high-volume periods like sales or holidays. Mistakes in printing also risk delayed shipments, returns, and unhappy customers.  

Voila’s silent printing and automated label printing features remove these bottlenecks. By sending print jobs directly to a connected printer without requiring clicks or confirmation, Voila enables eCommerce teams to process orders faster, more accurately, and more efficiently. 

In this blog, we’ll explain what silent printing is, why it’s essential for eCommerce order fulfilment, how Voila implements it, and actionable tips to optimise your shipping workflow.  

What is Silent Printing in eCommerce Fulfilment? 

Silent printing is an industry term for automatically sending print jobs directly to a printer, bypassing pop-ups or manual confirmations. In eCommerce, this workflow means: 

• Shipping labels print instantly as soon as an order is processed.  

• Packing slips and invoices are generates alongside labels. 

• Staff no longer need to click “Print” for each order, eliminating repetitive tasks. 

Silent printing works hand-in-hand with automated label printing, helping online stores streamline fulfilment and reduce human error. 

Why Silent Printing is Critical for Online Stores 

Saves Time on Every Order 

Manual printing, even a few seconds per order, adds up quickly. For example, a team processing 500 orders a day could waste nearly an hour simply clicking through print dialogues. Silent printing removes these small delays, accelerating the fulfilment process.  

Reduces Human Error 

Manual workflows can lead to misprints, missing labels, or incorrect documentation. Automated printing ensures each order is accompanied by the correct shipping label, packing slip, and invoice, reducing costly mistakes and returns.  

Supports Multi-Station Fulfilment 

Many online stores have multiple packing stations, whether in-house or in co-warehousing setups. Silent printing ensures print jobs are automatically routed to the correct station, so teams can work simultaneously without conflicts.  

Standardises Fulfilment Workflows 

Automation creates consistency. Every order is processed in the same way, making it easier to train new staff and maintain high-quality fulfilment standards. 

Enhances Overall eCommerce Efficiency 

Silent printing is part of a broader order fulfilment automation strategy, complementing features like batch order processing, returns handling, and inventory updates. By removing manual printing tasks, teams can focus on value-added activities like quality control, packaging, and customer communication. 

How Voila Handles Automated Label Printing 

Voila integrates seamlessly with a range of printers (both thermal for shipping labels and standard for packing slips or invoices) to provide a fully automated printing solution. Key capabilities include: 

• Instant Shipping Label Printing: Labels print automatically when an order is received, so packages are ready to ship without delays. 

• Automatic Packing Slips: Packing slips print alongside labels, ensuring each order includes necessary documentation. 

• Invoice Printing: Invoices generate and print without manual intervention, streamlining record-keeping. 

Printers can be configured per packing station, enabling multiple staff to process orders simultaneously. Once set up, silent printing works in the background, freeing teams from repetitive printing tasks. 

Benefits Beyond Printing 

Faster Order Processing 

Automated printing reduces the time from order creation to shipment, helping stores meet delivery promises and increase customer satisfaction. 

Lower Risk of Returns & Errors 

Accurate labels and documentation prevent mis-shipments and ensure packages reach the right customer the first time. 

More Productive Teams 

Staff can focus on picking, packing, and managing orders rather than managing print jobs, increasing overall productivity. 

Scalable Fulfilment 

Silent printing supports growing eCommerce operations, allowing teams to handle higher order volumes without additional staff. 

Seamless Integration 

Voila works alongside other order fulfilment automation tools, including inventory updates, batch processing, and returns management, creating a streamlined eCommerce workflow.  

Practical Tips for Setting Up Silent Printing 

Choose the Right Printers 

Thermal printers are ideal for shipping labels, while standard printers work well for packing slips and invoices. Ensure your printers are compatible for a smooth setup. 

Assign Printers to Packing Stations 

Map printers to specific workflows or stations to prevent print conflicts and ensure documents print where needed. 

Test Before Going Live 

Run sample orders to verify label formatting, printer routing, and document accuracy. Adjust setting before processing live orders. 

Combine with Other Automation Features 

Pair silent printing with batch order processing, automated returns, and inventory updates for maximum efficiency. 

Monitor & Optimise 

Track print errors, delays, or misprints and refine workflows regularly. Even automated systems benefit from review and optimisation to maintain high performance.  

Common Scenarios Where Silent Printing Saves Time 

High-Volume Sales Events 

During peal periods like Black Friday or holiday sales, silent printing prevents bottlenecks at packing stations. 

Multi-Channel eCommerce 

Stores selling across Shopify, Amazon, eBay, or other platforms can route print jobs automatically for each channel. 

Subscription Boxes or Bundled Orders 

Automated packing slips and labels reduce manual assembly mistakes. 

Returns & Exchanges 

Printing return labels automatically for inbound shipments speeds up reverse logistics. 

Conclusion 

Silent printing and automated label printing may seem like small features, but for online stores, they have a huge impact. Voila enables faster order processing, reduces human error, and allows eCommerce teams to focus on the core goal: getting orders to customers quickly and accurately. 

For online stores looking to scale without increasing staff, silent printing is a simple, high-impact tool that improves fulfilment workflows, enhances customer satisfaction, and streamlines daily operations.