WooCommerce is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. It offers a flexible way to sell products using WordPress. However, many store owners discover one surprising limitation: WooCommerce does not automatically generate proper receipts or packing lists for orders.
As an online store grows, these documents quickly become essential. Customers expect a receipt for their purchase, accountants need clear order documentation, and warehouse staff rely on packing lists when preparing shipments.
In this guide, we will cover:
- what information a WooCommerce receipt should include
- why packing lists make order fulfillment easier
- how to create PDF receipts for WooCommerce orders
- the easiest way to automate the entire process
What Is a WooCommerce Receipt?
A WooCommerce receipt is a document that confirms a customer’s purchase from your online store. It usually contains all the key details related to the order, such as products, pricing, taxes, and payment information.
In an online store, the receipt serves the same purpose as it does in a physical shop:
- proof of purchase for the customer
- documentation for accounting
- support for returns and claims
Many online stores send the receipt together with the order confirmation email or allow customers to download it from their account page.
What Information Should an Online Store Receipt Include?
In many countries, receipts must contain specific details to meet accounting and tax requirements.
A typical WooCommerce receipt includes the following information.
Company details
- company name
- business ID or tax ID
- address
- contact information
Order information
- order number
- order date
- payment method
Customer information
- customer name
- shipping address
- email address
Product lines
- product name
- quantity
- price excluding tax
- tax percentage
- tax amount
- total price including tax
Order summary
- subtotal excluding tax
- tax breakdown
- final total
A clear and well-structured receipt makes things easier for both the customer and the store owner.
WooCommerce Does Not Generate Proper Receipts by Default
WooCommerce does send an order confirmation email, but technically it is not a true receipt.
The default setup has several limitations:
- no downloadable PDF receipt
- no dedicated print-friendly format
- no packing list support
- tax breakdown is not optimized for receipts
- adding company details is not straightforward
When the number of orders starts increasing, many store owners quickly realize that the order confirmation alone is not enough.
Why Packing Lists Are Important for Online Stores
Once an online store starts receiving more orders, packing lists become extremely important.
A packing list is a document used by warehouse staff that shows:
- which products are included in the order
- how many items need to be picked
- where the order should be shipped
A well-designed packing list can:
- speed up order picking
- reduce packing mistakes
- make warehouse work easier
- improve shipping efficiency
Without a packing list, warehouse workers often need to check the WooCommerce order page manually, which slows down the fulfillment process.
How to Create WooCommerce Receipts in PDF Format
There are three common ways to generate receipts in a WooCommerce store.
1. Manual Receipts
Some small stores create receipts manually using tools such as:
- Excel
- PDF templates
- accounting software
This approach only works when order volume is very small.
Once orders increase, manual work quickly becomes time-consuming.
2. Custom Development
Another option is building a receipt system yourself.
This typically involves:
- writing custom WordPress code
- using PDF generation libraries
- modifying WooCommerce email templates
While this approach is possible, it requires development time and ongoing maintenance.
3. WooCommerce Receipt Plugins
The most common solution is to use a WooCommerce plugin that automatically generates receipts.
A plugin can:
- create a PDF receipt for every order
- attach the receipt to order emails
- provide download links for customers
- generate packing lists for warehouse staff
This allows the entire process to run automatically.
WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List Plugin
If you want a simple solution for generating receipts and packing lists, one option is the WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List plugin. The plugin is designed to simplify order documentation and printing directly from WooCommerce.
With it, you can generate:
- clear PDF receipts for customers
- packing lists for warehouse staff
- professional documents for every order
Because the plugin integrates directly with WooCommerce orders, receipts and packing lists can be created with just a single click.
Key Features
The WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List plugin includes several useful features for store owners.
PDF Receipts
A clear PDF receipt can be generated for every WooCommerce order.
Packing Lists
Warehouse staff can print packing lists that clearly display all items in the order.
Tax Breakdown
Receipts include detailed tax breakdowns for each product, which helps with accounting.
Email Attachments
Receipts can be automatically attached to WooCommerce emails.
Download Links
Customers can download their receipt directly from:
- the order confirmation page
- the “My Account” page
- a link in the email
Customizable Design
You can customize receipts by adding:
- your company logo
- company details
- footer information
How to Install WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List
Setting up the plugin is quick.
1. Install the plugin
Download the plugin and install it through the WordPress plugin system.
2. Activate the plugin
Activate it from the WordPress admin dashboard.
3. Configure the settings
Inside WooCommerce settings you can configure:
- company information
- logo
- email attachments
- receipt layout
4. Generate receipts
When a new order arrives, you can generate a receipt or packing list directly from the order view.
Who Is the WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List Plugin For?
The plugin is especially useful for:
WooCommerce store owners
Professional receipts improve the customer experience.
Warehouses
Packing lists make order picking much easier.
Accounting
Clear tax breakdowns simplify bookkeeping and reporting.
Growing online stores
Automation saves time and reduces mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions About WooCommerce Receipts
Can WooCommerce create receipts without a plugin?
WooCommerce sends an order confirmation email, but it is not a proper receipt. Creating PDF receipts usually requires a plugin.
Do online stores need to provide receipts?
In most cases, yes. Receipts serve as proof of purchase and are important for accounting purposes.
Can customers download their receipt?
Yes. Many WooCommerce plugins allow customers to download receipts from their account page or via an email link.
Are packing lists necessary?
If your store processes multiple orders per day, packing lists significantly simplify the order picking process.
Summary
WooCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform, but it does not include a complete system for generating receipts and packing lists by default.
However, these documents are an essential part of running an online store:
- customers receive proof of purchase
- accounting becomes easier
- warehouse operations become faster
By automating receipt and packing list generation, store management becomes much more efficient.
If you are looking for an easy way to create PDF receipts and packing lists for WooCommerce orders, it is worth checking out the WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List plugin.
Learn More
WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List helps automate the creation of receipts and packing lists.
👉 Learn more about the WooCommerce Receipt & Packing List plugin here