POD business - notify when order is ready

[aceinthelowell]

I currently run a sporting good store using Square and Square online and it's going well. I'm getting ready to launch a second part of the business that will involve custom direct to garment printing. I'm wondering what the best way to handle customer notification in the most automated way. The way I see things flowing is.... a customer orders online or in person. The order goes into a queue to be printed. Once the order is printed, the order is marked as completed and the customer is notified that their order is ready (if pickup) or shipped (if shipping). How should I handle this? I thought about using appointments, but it doesn't seem like the best fit. If they order online, I could keep the order in processing until complete and then mark it completed or shipped, but what is the best way to handle queued orders and keep track of them to be printed if they order and pay in store. Maybe I just haven't thought this all the way through, but I'd love to hear feedback from anyone that is doing something similar. 

[Gold]

HI, are you using a POD service online or are you handling?

POD integrated with Square will process the order and ship the order.  It depends on which company prints the order it can take 7 to 15 business days to process.

If you are printing the order and shipping then you add the tracking information or you can notify the customer when item is ready for pickup.  Turnaround time is shorter.

[aceinthelowell]

We are printing in house. I'm trying to figure out the best way to kind of use Square as a print MIS. 

[Gold]

HI, ok, I understand now.  POD as I understand, is Printful which does integrate with Square.  Print MIS is different.  Best advice, repost with Print MIS in title for a better informed individual.