Set Up Shipping Weights for an Order Form

Shipping weights help your website calculate an order’s total weight and use it to determine shipping costs. The calculation can:

• Calculate product weight based on the quantity ordered
• Add the weight of the shipping box
• Account for how many pieces fit in each box
• Adjust product weight based on selected options, such as paper stock

Shipping options can use the calculated weight to determine a charge or request carrier rates through ShipLeap.

You’ll find the ‘Shipping Weight’ tab in the Order Form Editor for a public order form or the Reorder Form Editor for a reorder form.

Set the base product weight

1. Edit the order form and select ‘Shipping Weight’.

2. Next to Base product weight, enter the weight in the pounds field and the corresponding quantity in the pieces field.

3. Select the blue ‘Update’ button.

4. Select the green ‘Save’ in the lower-left.

For example, if 250 business cards weigh 0.6 lb, enter 250 for the number of pieces and 0.6 lb for the weight. The system uses those values to calculate product weight for the quantity ordered.

Add box weight

1. In Requires a box weighing, enter the weight of the empty box in pounds.

2. Select Update, then select Save.

For example, if the empty box weighs 0.125 pounds, enter 0.125. The box weight is added to the calculated product weight.

Set box dimensions and capacity

1. Under With dimensions (in inches), enter the box’s Length, Width, and Height. This section accepts one set of box dimensions.

2. In A new box is required every, enter the number of pieces that fit in one box.

3. Select Update, then select Save.

For example, enter 250 pieces if each box holds up to 250 pieces. The system uses that capacity to determine when an additional box is required.

Select the quantity question

1. In the Number of pieces is determined by dropdown, select the order form question that sets the quantity, such as Quantity.
2. Select Update, then select Save.

This tells the system which answer to use when calculating the product’s shipping weight.

Adjust product weight for selected options

Some choices, such as a heavier paper stock, change the product’s weight. Add those choices under Optional Questions Affecting Product Weight.

1, Select the relevant question, such as Paper Choices.

2. Click Add Question.

3. Enter the appropriate weight adjustment for each answer.

4. Select the blue ‘Update’ button.

5. Select ‘Save’ in the lower-left.

For example, the standard paper option might have an adjustment of 0 pounds, while a heavier stock has an additional weight. Use weights that reflect the materials you offer.

Set up a shipping option that uses weight

The order form calculates the shipment’s weight. To calculate a shipping charge from that weight, set the shipping option to Calculated Rate Per Pound.

1. Within the Control Center, select My Website at the top.

2. Select E-Commerce Settings

3. Select Shipping & Delivery Options.

4. Edit the shipping option you want to use.

5. In the Shipping Totals dropdown, select Calculated Rate Per Pound

6. Enter the rate per pound next to ‘Calculated Rate Amount Per Pound’.

7. Select ‘Update Shipping Option’.

For example, if the rate is $2.00 per pound, the website uses the calculated shipment weight to determine the shipping charge.

The dropdown also offers Shipping Totals Not Calculated, Flat Rate Shipping Total (per line item), and Flat Rate Shipping Total (per order). Those methods do not calculate the shipping charge from the order form’s shipping weight.

If you use ShipLeap for carrier rates, review your ShipLeap Connection settings and test the shipping rate at checkout.

See how shipping weights work at checkout

For example, a printbuyer selects 120 lb cover and orders 1000 business cards. After adding the item to the shopping cart, they enter a shipping address and select an available shipping method.

The website uses the order form’s settings to:

• Calculate the product weight for 1,000 business cards, including any adjustment for the selected paper
• Determine how many boxes are needed and add their weight
• Use the total weight to calculate a shipping charge or request a rate through ShipLeap

The printbuyer can then review the selected product options, shipping charge, and order total before placing the order.

Test the shipping weight setup

1. Add the product to the shopping cart using a quantity and product options.
2. Enter a delivery address and select a delivery method to view the shipping rate.
3. Repeat with a larger quantity or a product option that changes the weight.
4. Check that the resulting shipping charges reflect the changes you made.

Above: Shipping Weight tab filled out for Business Cards

 

Above: Qty 1000 of those Business Cards and its corresponding shipping rate

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Tips for accurate shipping rates

• Check the product weight and box capacity when you add or change material options, especially heavier paper stocks.
• Confirm that the shipping options you offer use the calculated weight where appropriate.
• Use ShipLeap if you want to display carrier rates at checkout.
• Place a test order after changing weight or packaging settings to check the resulting shipping charge.

If you’d like help setting up shipping weights or ShipLeap, please contact Tech Support.

Happy Printing!