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Cahoot provides both automatic and manual shipping label creation to streamline your fulfillment process. This comprehensive guide covers everything from understanding how auto-label works to fixing failed labels and handling complex orders.

Quick Start: Most orders will automatically create labels if you have Auto-Label enabled and your products have proper package data configured. This guide helps when you need manual control or when issues arise.
🔍 Understanding Auto-Label vs Manual Creation

How Cahoot Evaluates Orders for Auto-Label

Every order imported into Cahoot is automatically evaluated for Auto-Label Creation based on these criteria:

  • Auto-Label feature is enabled in your account settings
  • Complete package data exists for all line items (dimensions, weight)
  • Valid customer address that passes carrier validation
  • Order passes all configured rules (weight limits, restrictions, etc.)
  • No manual review flags are present

When Orders Get Auto-Labels

  • ✅ Single-item orders with package data
  • ✅ Multi-line orders with saved package combinations
  • ✅ Orders within weight/size limits
  • ✅ Valid addresses that pass carrier validation

When Orders Need Manual Creation

  • ❌ Missing package data for any line item
  • ❌ Invalid or unverifiable customer addresses
  • ❌ Orders exceeding automated weight limits
  • ❌ Multi-line orders without saved package data
  • ❌ Orders flagged for manual review
  • ❌ Auto-Label feature is disabled
Key Concept: Orders that fail auto-label requirements are placed in Manual Review rather than getting bad labels. This prevents shipping mistakes.
⚡ Automatic Label Creation Process

How Auto-Label Works 

1Order Import & Evaluation: When orders are imported, Cahoot immediately evaluates them against auto-label criteria. 

2Auto-Label Queue: Qualifying orders are automatically sent to the Auto-Label Queue for processing. 

3Rate Calculation: Cahoot calculates rates from all available carriers and services (typically takes under 15 minutes). 

4Best Service Selection: The system selects the optimal service based on your configured preferences. Auto created labels use the Mapped Cahoot Service to create the shipping label.

5Label Creation: Labels are automatically generated without human intervention. 

Monitoring Auto-Label Progress

  • Dashboard Overview: Check the "Orders Summary" section for processing status
  • Auto-Label Queue: View orders currently being processed
  • Failed Labels: See orders that couldn't be auto-processed
Tip: Most labels are created within 5-15 minutes, but complex multi-carrier rate calculations may take longer during peak times.
⚠️ When Labels Fail: Common Issues & Solutions

Understanding Failed Labels

Orders that appear in the Failed Labels section aren't "bad" - they simply require manual attention to prevent shipping mistakes.

Common Failure Reasons & Solutions

1. Missing Package Data

  • Issue: Line items lack dimensions or weight information
  • Solution: Add package data from Dashboard → "SKUs Missing Package Data"
  • Prevention: Configure package data when creating products

2. Invalid Customer Address

  • Issue: Address fails carrier validation
  • Solution: Use address validation tools or bypass for USPS-only
  • Prevention: Implement address validation at checkout in your sales channel(s)

3. 3D Bin Packing Failed

  • Issue: Items don't fit in available box configurations
  • Solution: Check product and box dimensions, split orders if needed
  • Prevention: Ensure accurate dimensions and proper box configurations

4. Weight Limit Exceeded

  • Issue: Package exceeds automated processing limits
  • Solution: Split order into multiple shipments
  • Prevention: Set appropriate weight limits or split large orders

5. Manual Review Required

  • Issue: Order has manual review tags or unusual characteristics
  • Solution: Review order details and resolve flagged issues
  • Prevention: Address root causes of manual review triggers

 

Finding Failed Orders 

1On your Cahoot Dashboard, find the Failed Labels section. 

2Click the number in the Today column for each error type. 

3Use the Error Reason filter to focus on specific failure types. 

4Click Create Label in the Action column to begin manual creation.

Pro Tip: The Alert Box at the top of each Create Label page and Order Tags help quickly identify the specific issue that needs resolution.
Failed Labels Dashboard
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Failed Labels Page
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📝 Create Shipping Labels Manually

When to Create Labels Manually 

  • Auto-Label is disabled for your account
  • Orders failed auto-label and need correction
  • Complex orders requiring custom packaging decisions
  • Orders with special shipping requirements 

Step-by-Step Manual Label Creation 

1Go to the Sales Order page for the order and click the Create Shipping Label button the top right. 

create label button
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2Select the Package Type and Weight (lbs) for the package you are shipping.

service type
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3Click the Get Rates button to return carrier services.

get rates
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4Click the Service Type you want to use directly in the Shipping Rates table.

click services
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5Click Create Shipping Label.

create the manual label
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Finding Orders that Require Manual Creation

Option A: From Failed Labels Report 

1Navigate to Dashboard → Failed Labels section. 

2Click Create Label for the order you want to process. 

3The Create Label page opens with the order details and any error alerts. 

Option B: From Individual Orders 

1Go to the Sales Order page for the order. 

2Click Create Shipping Label in the upper right corner. 

Completing Manual Label Creation 

3Review & Fix Issues: Any problems highlighted in alert boxes or tags. 

4Add Missing Package Data: If required, enter package dimensions and weight information. 

5Validate Address: Fix address issues or bypass validation if necessary (USPS only). 

6Select Service: Choose your preferred carrier and service level. 

7Create Label: Click Create Label to generate the shipping label. 

8Batch Processing: Use Create Label & Go To Next to quickly process multiple failed orders with the same issue. 

 

Address Validation Options 

  • Fix Address: Correct the customer address using suggested corrections
  • Bypass Validation: Force label creation with original address (USPS only)
  • Customer Contact: Reach out to customer for address clarification
Important: Bypassing address validation may result in delivery issues. Use this option carefully and primarily for USPS shipments. Learn more about fixing invalid addresses. 
🔄 Managing the Auto-Label Queue

Adding Orders to Auto-Label Queue 

Sometimes you'll need to manually add corrected orders back to the Auto-Label Queue for automated processing. 

From Print and Ship Orders Page

1Go to Print and Ship My Orders.

2Select order(s) using checkboxes.

3Click Other Options → Add to Auto-Label Queue.

4Orders will be queued for automatic label creation (typically processed within 15 minutes).

Auto-Label Queue Print and Ship Orders Page
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From Individual Sales Order Page

1Open the Sales Order page.

2Click Create Shipping Label dropdown. 

3Select Add to Auto-Label Queue. 

Auto-Label Queue Individual Sales Order Page
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Orders That Cannot Go to Auto-Label Queue

  • Manual Review Tags: Orders with manual review tags must be fixed before queue addition.
  • Warning Signs: Orders with warning indicators need resolution first.
  • Missing Data: Complete all required package data before adding to queue. 

 

Fixing Orders Before Queue Addition

1Identify Issues: Check for manual review tags or warning signs. 

2Fix Problems: Resolve address, package data, or other flagged issues. 

3Add to Queue: Once fixed, orders can be added to Auto-Label Queue.

Auto-Label Queue Failed
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Note: The Auto-Label Queue processes orders in the background. You'll see labels appear in your Label Ready section once processing completes.
🔧 Handling Multi-Line & Multi-Quantity Orders

How Cahoot Handles Complex Orders 

Cahoot uses two different methods to automatically create labels for multi-line and multi-quantity orders:

Note: By default, Cahoot retains Package Data from previous multi-line and multi-quantity orders to automatically create optimal labels for identical future orders. This means once you've created a shipping label for a specific SKU and quantity combination, identical orders will get auto-created.

Method 1: Historical Package Data (Default)

  • Uses previously saved package data from identical orders
  • Requires manual creation of at least one order with the same SKU + quantity combination
  • Future identical orders automatically use the same packaging configuration
  • Works with any packaging type (boxes, polys, mailers)

Method 2: 3D Bin Packing Automation (Advanced Add-On Feature)

  • Uses real-time 3D algorithms to calculate optimal box fit
  • No prior order history required - calculates best fit automatically
  • Only works with Box packaging (not polys or mailers)
  • Requires special configuration and Cahoot to enable the feature
Which Method Applies to You? Most users rely on Historical Package Data. If you have 3D Bin Packing enabled, Cahoot will have notified you and provided configuration guidance. Learn more about 3D Bin Packing Automation.

Setting Up Multi-Line/Multi-Quantity Auto-Labels 

1Find Complex Orders: Locate multi-line or multi-quantity orders that need manual creation. 

2Open Sales Order: Click the Order ID to view order details. 

3Create First Label: Click Create Shipping Label. 

4Configure Package Data: Enter accurate shipment information:

  • Packaging type and dimensions
  • Total weight including packaging
  • Any special handling requirements

5Save for Future Use: When prompted, select Yes to apply this package data to other identical unshipped orders. 

6Future Automation: Cahoot saves this configuration and will automatically create labels for future orders with the same SKU and quantity combination. 

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Package Data Requirements for Automation 

  • Accurate Dimensions: Length × Width × Height in inches
  • Total Weight: Including packaging materials
  • Box Configuration: Proper box selection for the item combination
  • Volume Utilization: Box usage between 65%-95% for optimal packing 

Benefits of Multi-Line Setup 

  • Time Savings: Identical orders auto-create labels without manual intervention
  • Consistency: Same packaging decisions applied to similar orders
  • Efficiency: Reduced manual processing for repeat order patterns
  • Accuracy: Eliminates repeated data entry errors
Pro Tip: Take time to properly configure your first few complex orders. The package data you save will automate hundreds of similar orders in the future.
🎥 Video Walkthroughs & Additional Resources

Complete Video Tutorials 

Understanding & Fixing Failed Labels

Correcting Failed Labels Step-by-Step

Manual Label Creation Process

Auto-Label Queue Management

Multi-Line & Multi-Quantity Orders

Related Articles 

  • Configuring Package Manager Data for SKUs
  • Address Validation
  • Using Scan Verification
  • Printing Shipping Labels
  • Order Statuses 

Quick Reference 

Dashboard Sections: 

  • Orders Summary: View Label Ready, Processing, and Shipped counts
  • Failed Labels: Access orders that need manual attention
  • SKUs Missing Package Data: Add missing product information 

Key Pages: 

  • Print and Ship My Orders: Bulk label operations
  • Create Label: Individual label creation and problem solving
  • Sales Order: Individual order management
Need Help? If you encounter issues not covered in this guide, check the FAQ section or contact Cahoot support for assistance.
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