Packing slips
The packing slip: your quiet workhorse of order management
A packing slip is the itemized list tucked inside every box — proof of what shipped. Design branded slips free in the Rollo Label Design app and print them straight to a Rollo thermal printer, no extra steps.
Free app · web, iOS and Android · prints to Rollo Wireless or USB.
A packing slip is an itemized list of everything inside a shipment, placed inside the box by the seller. It lets the seller and the recipient confirm the order was packed correctly, which heads off returns and refunds. It is an operational document — not a request for payment, and not a legal contract.
Small slip, big job
Open any online order and the packing slip is right there on top — most people glance past it. Behind the scenes, it quietly runs the show.
When a business ships hundreds of boxes a day, the slip is how everyone confirms the right items went in the right box. Even small error rates compound at volume, so a clear, accurate slip protects both your margins and your customer's trust.
Packing slip vs the rest of the paperwork
Four documents travel with a shipment, and each does a different job. Here's how they line up.
| Document | Created by | What it's for | Legally binding? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing slip | Seller — placed inside the box | Lists contents so the recipient can verify the order | No |
| Shipping label | Seller — on the outside of the box | Routes and tracks the parcel with a scannable barcode | No |
| Invoice | Seller | Requests payment; shows prices, totals and terms | It's a financial record |
| Bill of lading | Carrier — when goods are loaded | Receipt, carriage contract, and can transfer title | Yes |
A packing slip can't double as a shipping label — labels need specific formatting and a barcode that carriers scan, which slips don't carry. For a smarter way to handle all of them, see how to manage shipping documents for free.
What belongs on a packing slip
Keep it complete enough that the recipient can match the box to their order at a glance.
Make it yours, free
A plain slip is a missed branding moment. The free Rollo Label Design app turns it into part of the unboxing — your logo, colors, and fonts on every order.
Upload images, add QR codes and barcodes, start from one of thousands of templates, and print straight to a Rollo thermal printer with no extra steps. Use it on the web, or download it on Android and iOS.
Build a branded packing slip in 6 steps
Open the app
Use the Rollo Label Design app on the web, or download it for Android or iOS.
Pick a size
Choose a free template — 2×1, 2×2, or 4×6 — or enter a custom label size.
Choose a template
Start from a packing-slip-style design and use it as your canvas.
Add your branding
Drop in your logo, colors, and fonts, plus any images, QR codes, or barcodes.
Include order info
Add the item list, quantities, shipping address, and any tracking details.
Print directly
Send it straight to your Rollo Wireless or USB thermal printer — no extra steps.
Print slips and labels with Rollo Ship
Rollo Ship is a free, all-in-one platform for label printing and shipping. Compare USPS, UPS, FedEx, Canada Post and Purolator, schedule pickups, consolidate orders, and batch-print — packing slips included.
No monthly subscription · first 200 labels free, then 5¢ · up to 90% off carrier rates.
Five carriers, one dashboard
USPS and UPS rates are built in; add your own FedEx account, plus Canada Post and Purolator for Canadian shipments.
Slips with every order
Print packing slips and 4×6 labels together, schedule pickups, and consolidate orders into one batch.
Costs that shrink
Your first 200 labels are free, then 5¢ — dropping to 1¢ at the VIP tier of Rollo Rewards.
Good to know before you print
Who prepares it
Usually the warehouse or fulfillment team, as they pull and pack each order. Solo sellers should add one to every shipment.
Is it legally required?
No specific mandate, but the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act requires that product and contents info reach the customer in some form.
Where it goes
Inside the box, never on the outside — external slips get damaged or lost, and can expose sensitive order details.
Receiving stock
Record incoming shipments against the packing slip as a purchase, raising inventory value and accounts payable until the invoice clears.
Slip ≠ label
A slip verifies contents; it can't route a parcel. You still need a scannable shipping label for the carrier.
Streamline the rest
Tighten the whole flow with these expert order management tips.
Packing slip questions, answered
What is a packing slip?
A packing slip is a document included inside a shipment that itemizes everything in the box — order number, item descriptions, and quantities. It lets both the seller and the recipient confirm the order was packed correctly, which helps prevent returns and refunds. It is an operational document, not a financial or legal one.
How is a packing slip different from an invoice?
A packing slip lists the items in a shipment with no pricing or payment details. An invoice is a financial document: it shows item prices, the total amount due, and payment terms, and it requests payment. The two often travel together, but the slip is about transparency while the invoice is about getting paid.
How is a packing slip different from a bill of lading?
A packing slip is an informal document the seller puts inside the box to help the recipient verify contents. A bill of lading is issued by the carrier when goods are loaded; it acts as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and can transfer ownership title. The bill of lading is legally binding and often required for international freight.
Is a packing slip required for every shipment?
No law specifically mandates a packing slip. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act does require that product information, like contents and manufacturer details, is clearly conveyed for consumer goods. So while a formal slip is optional, that order and product information should travel with each shipment in some form. Most sellers include one anyway.
What information goes on a packing slip?
A packing slip usually shows the order number, detailed item descriptions, the quantity of each item, the customer name and contact, the shipping address, any tracking numbers, and special notes or instructions. Together these details let the recipient match what arrived against what they ordered, and help your team fulfill and audit orders cleanly.
Can a packing slip be used as a shipping label?
No. A shipping label needs specific formatting and a scannable barcode so carriers can route and track the package, and a packing slip does not carry that data. They serve different jobs: the label tells the courier where the box goes, while the slip tells the recipient what is inside. You need both.
Where should you place a packing slip?
Put the packing slip inside the package, not on the outside. External placement risks the slip getting torn off, lost, or smudged, and a slip can contain details you would not want on public display. Tucked inside the box, it stays protected and is the first thing the recipient sees when they open their order.
Give your shipping sidekick some love
Design branded packing slips free in the Rollo Label Design app, then print and ship every order with Rollo Ship — five carriers, first 200 labels free.
Free to start · no card required.
