Using package presets

If you ship the same few box sizes over and over, typing dimensions every time gets old fast. Package presets save a package type, dimensions and, optionally, a weight, so you can fill a whole shipment with one click.

Creating a preset#

1. 1
   Open Settings → Packages

   Click New preset.

2. 2
   Name it something obvious

   Use names you'll recognize at a glance, like “Mug box 8×6×6” or “Small poly mailer”.

3. 3
   Choose a package type

   Box or rigid packaging, soft envelope, or a carrier-provided package like a USPS Flat Rate box.

4. 4
   Enter dimensions

   Length, width and height in inches. Use the outside dimensions of the packed box.

5. 5
   Add a weight (optional)

   If the product inside is always the same, include the full packed weight. Leave it blank if it varies so Octoship prompts you every time.

6. 6
   Save

   Your preset now appears in the package picker on every shipment and batch.

Screenshot

Default presets#

Mark one preset as the default and it's applied to every new shipment automatically. You can still change it per shipment.

Presets with store products#

If you've connected a store, you can map a product's SKU to a preset. When an order for that product comes in, Octoship fills the package details for you. Orders with several different items fall back to your default preset so you can adjust them.

Editing and deleting presets#

Changes to a preset apply only to new shipments; labels you've already bought keep the details they were bought with. Deleting a preset removes it from pickers and unlinks any SKUs that were mapped to it.

Preset ideas to get you started#

Most shops get by with three to six presets. A good set covers your smallest, most common and largest packages, plus anything unusual you ship regularly.

• Small poly mailer for apparel and soft goods — a soft envelope with no height.
• Your most common box, with a weight if it always holds the same product.
• A large box for multi-item orders, without a weight so you're prompted to weigh it.
• A USPS Flat Rate option if you keep those boxes on hand for heavy, short-distance shipments.
• A tube or odd shape if you ship prints or posters, since these often price differently.

Troubleshooting presets#

A preset isn't showing up in the picker

Some presets only appear for services that accept them. A USPS Flat Rate preset, for example, won't show on a UPS-only shipment. Check that the ship-from address and carrier settings on the shipment allow that package type.

Rates look higher than expected

Double-check the preset's dimensions. A large box can trigger dimensional weight pricing even when the contents are light. Trimming an inch off each side with a smaller box often makes a bigger difference than you'd expect.