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Set up a handheld barcode scanner

Set up a handheld scanner so you can search and confirm orders, and print labels

Updated over a week ago

You can use a handheld scanner to search for an order, or to confirm orders and print shipping labels. This can save you time, and help prevent mistakes. Scan the barcode on a packing slip or customer invoice, and Shippit finds the order, confirms it, prints the label, and moves the order to the Ready to Ship screen.

You can set up your scanner to work in two different ways:

  • Scan to search: use your scanner to search for an order from any screen in Shippit

  • Scan to print: use your scanner to confirm orders and print labels


Purchase a handheld barcode scanner

Shippit supports any handheld scanner that can scan linear or 1D barcodes. Scanners work by using light to read the barcode image, and transmitting the corresponding series of numbers to your computer, as though you had typed them directly. The main advantage of using a scanner over typing the barcode manually is that it is much faster than typing, and there is less risk of making a mistake.

If you need to purchase a scanner, we recommend purchasing from The Barcode Store. Their scanners come standard with 5 year warranties for corded scanners or 3 years warranties for cordless scanners.


Set up a handheld barcode scanner

These instructions are specifically for the Zebra LS2208, which is a popular corded handheld scanner, although the instructions are similar regardless of which model of scanner you are using.

Setting up a Zebra LS2208 handheld scanner

  1. Plug your scanner in to your computer, and check that it is working correctly. You can test your scanner by opening any blank document, such as a Word document or text editor, and scan any barcode. If the string of digits is printed in your document, then your scanner is working.

  2. In the manual for your scanner, navigate to the page that includes a range of barcodes to scan to change settings. Locate the barcode labelled Add an enter key - Carriage return/line feed. Scan the barcode to change the setting.

  3. Open the document you used to test earlier, and scan a barcode again. Now scan your test barcode again. If the string of digits appears again, and the cursor drops to the next line, as though you had pressed the return or enter key, then you scanner is working correctly.


Enable your handheld scanner

When your scanner is ready, you can enable it in Shippit. You can set up your scanner to work in two different ways:

  • Scan to search: use your scanner to search for an order from any screen in Shippit

  • Scan to print: use your scanner to confirm orders and print labels

Setting up scan to search

  1. Open the drop down menu in the top right of your screen, and click Settings.

  2. Click Label and scan to go the scanner settings.

  3. In the Scan preferences section, select Scan to search.

  4. Click Save to save your changes.

Setting up scan to print

Before you start, make sure you have installed Shippit Instant Print. For more information about Instant Print, see the Instant Print for shipping labels article.

  1. Open the drop down menu in the top right of your screen, and click Settings.

  2. Click Label and scan to go the scanner settings.

  3. In the Scan preferences section, select Scan to print.

  4. Click Save to save your changes.


Troubleshooting

This section contains information about some common issues you might encounter with your handheld scanner. If you can't find an answer to your question here, contact [email protected] for assistance.

The barcode isn't scanning, or Shippit can't find the order

Make sure that you are scanning a barcode that represents the Shippit order number. This could be on a packing slip, or customer invoice.

If you are scanning the correct barcode, make sure that the barcode isn't damaged or partially covered. If this is the case, you might need to type the order number manually. You could also have too much light reflecting off the barcode, which can happen if the barcode is on a shiny or reflective surface. In this case, move into a shaded area, or type the order number manually.

I can't find the right barcode

The barcode that represents the Shippit order number is shown on the packing slip for the order. You can find the packing slip from the New Orders page: locate the order, click the kebab menu to the right of the order, and click Download packslip to download and print the packing slip. The barcode and Shippit order number is shown at the top of the packing slip.

A portion of a Shippit packing slip, showing the order number and barcode

Alternatively, you can use the barcode on the customer invoice created by your e-commerce platform, OMS, or WMS.

I need to press enter every time I scan the barcode

Make sure you have set up your scanner to include a carriage return, or enter key after it scans the code. For more information about setting this up for a Zebra LS2208 scanner, see the section on Setting up your handheld scanner. For all other scanners, consult the documentation that accompanied your product.

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