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Add Label References

Add additional information to your shipping labels with label references.

Updated October 17, 20261 min readShip your orders

Add additional information to your shipping labels using the reference fields in Postsale. Reference fields can be used to add information such as:

  • The order number
  • Product SKUs
  • A personalized message

This article will show you how to add information to the reference fields and which reference fields can be used for each shipping carrier.

Add Label References in the Dock

Locate the Reference Fields

Label references are added to the reference fields in the Dock when configuring your shipment details prior to creating a shipping label. The reference fields can be found in the same place, regardless of the shipping carrier you are shipping with:

  1. Verify that the shipment you wish to add the reference to is selected in the Dock.

  2. Expand the Package section.

  3. Expand Additional Details.

  4. Select the Reference tab.

    The selected shipment and Package are highlighted, numbered 1 and 2, in the Dock.
    Additional Details and Reference are highlighted, numbered 3 and 4, in the Dock's Additional Details.

Add Reference Information

There are three ways to enter information into the reference fields:

Manually

Type your message into one of the available reference fields for the carrier you are shipping with.

For example: You could type a thank you message to your customer.

The Reference 1 field (Thank you for your order.) is highlighted in the Reference tab.

Select from a List

Select whether you wish to include the order number or the order's item SKU(s) by clicking the angle brackets < > and selecting from the list of options.

  • Postsale populates the reference field with the correct code (to include the order number or SKUs) based upon your selection.
  • If an order has multiple SKUs, all of the SKUs will be listed separated by commas.
The angle brackets and Order number are highlighted, numbered 1 and 2, in the token list.
The Reference 1 field ({{ order.number }}) is highlighted in the Reference tab.

A Combination of Manually and Selecting from a List

You could combine the two above options to create a custom reference.

For example: Enter the code found below into the reference field to display the order number followed by the SKUs, like this.

Order#: DS1023 | SKUs: 1234, 7890

Here is the code:

Liquid
Order#: {{ order.number }} | SKUs: {{ order.items | map:'sku' | join: ', ' }}

If the carrier supports multiple references, you could also include a personal message in another reference field.

The Reference tab Reference 1 with the order number and SKUs code, Reference 2 with a thank you message.

Automatically Include References on Every Label

Let's look at how to set the shipping defaults so that a reference is included on all shipping labels.

This method is best when you would like the same reference to be printed on every shipping label without having to manually add it to each shipment.

  1. Go to Settings.

    Settings is highlighted in the Open profile menu.
  2. Select Carrier Settings.

    Carrier Settings is highlighted in the Settings menu.
  3. Select Settings.

    Settings is highlighted in the Carrier Settings sidebar.
  4. Click Default Shipment under Shipping Rules. Learn more about the available Default Shipment settings.

    Default Shipment is highlighted in Shipping Rules.
  5. Expand the Reference section.

    Reference is highlighted in Edit Default Shipment.
  6. Enter the desired references into the Reference 1, Reference 2, and/or Reference 3 fields. See the Add Reference Information section above for more information.

    The filled-in Reference 1 field, the Reference 2 field (Thank you for your order!) and the empty Reference 3 field are highlighted in Edit Default Shipment.
  7. Click Save.

    Save is highlighted in Edit Default Shipment.

Supported Reference Fields by Carrier

  • FedEx labels support printing information entered into the Reference 1, Reference 2, and Reference 3 fields in Postsale.
    • Reference 1: Shows as the REF: on the printed FedEx label.
    • Reference 2: Shows as the INV: on the printed FedEx label.
    • Reference 3: Shows as the PO: on the printed FedEx label.
  • UPS labels support printing information entered into the Reference 1 and Reference 2 fields in Postsale.
  • USPS labels support printing information entered into the Reference 1 and Reference 2 fields in Postsale.

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