Short Answer
Yes. You can turn off automated ordering and manually fulfill orders with your supplier.
How Manual Fulfillment Works
While PODtomatic is designed to work seamlessly with CustomCat and Laser Chili for automated fulfillment, you have the flexibility to use other suppliers by turning off automation and handling orders manually.
Note: Manual fulfillment requires more time and effort, but gives you complete control over your supplier relationships and product quality.
What PODtomatic Provides
Even with manual fulfillment, PODtomatic still handles the heavy lifting:
🎨 Design Generation
- AI-Created Designs - Professional designs based on trending keywords
- High-Resolution Files - Print-ready files in the correct formats
- Design Downloads - Easy access to all your design files
- Organized Library - Designs organized by product and date
📝 Product Listings
- Automated Uploads - Products still uploaded to your stores automatically
- Optimized Titles - SEO-friendly product titles and descriptions
- Keyword Research - Targeting profitable, low-competition keywords
- Pricing Strategy - Competitive pricing recommendations
Manual Fulfillment Process
Here's how to handle orders when using your own supplier:
Step 1: Check Orders in PODtomatic
- PODtomatic automatically pulls orders from Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify
- View all new orders in your PODtomatic dashboard
- See product details, size, and customer shipping information
- Orders are organized and ready for processing
Step 2: Download Design Files
- Click on any order in your PODtomatic dashboard
- Download the specific design file for that order
- Design files are automatically matched to each order
- Files are provided in the correct resolution for printing
Step 3: Submit to Supplier
- Log into your supplier's platform
- Create a new order with customer details
- Upload the design file
- Confirm production and shipping options
Step 4: Track and Update
- Monitor production status with your supplier
- Get tracking information once shipped
- Update the marketplace with tracking details
- Handle any customer service issues
Popular Alternative Suppliers
Many PODtomatic users successfully work with these suppliers manually:
- Printful - Wide product range and global fulfillment
- Printify - Multiple print providers in one platform
- Gooten - Competitive pricing and product variety
- Teelaunch - Quality products and fast shipping
- Local Print Shops - For specialized or premium products
Pros and Cons of Manual Fulfillment
✅ Advantages
- Supplier Choice - Work with any supplier you prefer
- Quality Control - Direct relationship with your fulfillment partner
- Special Products - Access to unique items not available through our network
- Local Suppliers - Use suppliers in specific geographic regions
- Custom Branding - Implement special packaging or branding
❌ Disadvantages
- Time Investment - Requires 30-60 minutes daily for order processing
- Manual Work - No automation means more hands-on management
- Scaling Challenges - Difficult to handle high order volumes manually
- Error Risk - Manual processes increase chance of mistakes
- No Bulk Rates - May not get the pricing advantages of our partnerships
Best Practices for Manual Fulfillment
To succeed with manual order processing:
📅 Create a Daily Routine
- Check your PODtomatic dashboard for new orders daily
- Process all orders in batches for efficiency
- Set up email notifications for new orders
- Keep supplier logins easily accessible
📊 Stay Organized
- Use spreadsheets to track orders
- Create folders for design files by date
- Keep customer information organized
- Document your supplier's requirements
🚀 Optimize Your Process
- Create templates for common order types
- Build relationships with supplier support
- Negotiate better rates as volume grows
- Consider hiring a VA for order processing
When to Use Manual Fulfillment
Manual fulfillment makes sense when:
- You're working with a specific local supplier
- You need products not available through our network
- You want complete control over quality and packaging
- You have special branding requirements
- You're testing a new supplier before committing
Getting Help
If you need assistance with manual fulfillment setup or have questions about using your own suppliers, contact our support team. We're here to help you succeed regardless of which fulfillment method you choose.