Project Introduction

DYMO Label Printer - Process Automation Demo

Introduction

This tool bridges the gap between the traditional manual workflow and an optimized digital process for handling small package shipments using DYMO label printers. While it is not yet fully automated, it significantly improves efficiency while maintaining compatibility with existing work routines.

Background

I deal with a large number of old DYMO labels, primarily used for mail deliveries of smaller goods. However, my shipping aggregator, SendCloud, only supports A6 and larger-sized labels, and my DYMO label printers lack wireless connectivity. These constraints created a cumbersome and error-prone shipping workflow.

The Old Method (Manual Workflow)

The previous shipping process was slow and involved multiple steps:

Download the order CSV file.
Import the file into Microsoft Excel.
Manually sort and filter columns to ensure all necessary fields are visible.
Manually sort orders by item type and highlight multi-item orders.
Manually create a quote in Lightspeed Ecom to sync inventory levels.
Print the Excel table and use it for order picking.
Create a separate table to format the data for the DYMO software.
Print the DYMO labels.
Manually label and stamp each package before dispatch.

This process was prone to errors and highly inefficient, making order fulfillment time-consuming and frustrating.

The Improved Method (Web App Workflow)

To streamline the process while keeping it compatible with existing work habits, I introduced a web application that automates most of the tedious steps. The updated workflow is as follows:

CSV Upload: Orders are still downloaded as a CSV file but are now uploaded directly into the web app.
- ✅Automated Processing: The web app processes the data and presents it in two organized tabs:
In the first tab we click-to-copy each product line into a manual quote in Lightspeed.
- ✅It automatically highlights the items clicked, so we don't miss lines.
In the second tab we click 2 buttons.
- Button 1: Print Order Pick List: Generates a formatted list similar to the manual version but with added logic:
  - ✅Multi-item orders are prioritized at the top.
  - ✅Single-item orders are sorted alphabetically and by quantity.
  - ✅The overview also allows selection/deselection of orders in case of cancellations.
- Button 2: Print DYMO Labels: Uses the DYMO SDK and local print service to find the connected printer and print the labels automatically.
  - ✅Integrated Postage Stamps: The postage stamp is printed directly onto the label, eliminating an additional manual step.

Visual Walkthrough

Step 1) Start BOM (Bol Order Machine):

Simply drag the downloaded .xlsx file to the drop box and press start. The web-app will process the file and generate the two tabs. In the first tab you can see the total quantities for each item. We still manually copy-paste these into a Lightspeed quote. I have added highlights for clicked items to keep track of where we are.

1) start BOM (bol order machine).png

Step 2) Double check and print

This step allows users to select/deselect individual orders, or everything alltogether. Sometimes we don't need to print all labels, or print an extra label. That's where this editing step comes in conveniently.

2) double check and press buttons.png

Step 3) Print Order Pick List

The 'Print Bestellingen' button conveniently downloads the formatted excel table, as we would've created it manually. Multi-line orders and multi-item rows are highlighted.

4) print orderpick list.png

Step 4)

The 'Print Labels' button sends the instructions to the DYMO Label Writer to print all selected orders. These will be printed in exactly the same order as shown on the order pdf/print.

5) printed dymo labels.jpg

Summary of Benefits

✅ Eliminates manual Excel sorting and formatting.
✅ Reduces errors in order fulfillment.
✅ Speeds up processing and printing.
✅ Prevents missed inventory updates with a structured item-click tracking system.
✅ Removes extra labeling and postage steps.

By automating 90% of the process, the DYMO Label Printer Tool transforms order handling into a fast, efficient, and error-free system, paving the way for full automation in the near future.

The Ideal Future Solution

While the current system is a major improvement, the ideal setup would include:

API integration with Lightspeed Ecom to fully automate inventory updates.
A scheduled task to process and print orders at a set time every weekday.
Simplified printer selection using software like ezeep to dedicate a single shared DYMO label writer in the office, eliminating the need for local installations on each desktop.

By gradually improving the system, I maintain compatibility with existing workflows while working toward full automation.