Shopify & DecoNetwork Integration Part 1: Shopify Setup Guide

This guide is Part 1 of the Shopify ↔ DecoNetwork (DN) integration series. In this part, you’ll prepare your Shopify store so orders can be securely and reliably fulfilled by your DecoNetwork Fulfillment Center (FC). You’ll create a custom fulfillment app, define product metafields for production artwork, upload design files, configure inventory locations, and align shipping methods and rates with your DN setup.

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why prepare Shopify before connecting to DN?
• Step 1: Create & install a custom order-fulfillment app
• Step 2: Create product metafields for production files
• Step 3: Upload design files to products
• Step 4: Configure product inventory for the DN location
• Step 5: Set up shipping methods & rates to match DN
• Best-Practice Tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional Resources

Prerequisites

Why prepare Shopify before connecting to DN?

• Accurate production mapping: Metafields ensure front/back designs are correctly linked to DN decoration areas.
• Seamless fulfillment flow: The custom app securely passes orders to your DN FC.
• Inventory correctness: Products must be stocked at the DN location for Shopify to assign fulfillment properly.
• Transparent shipping: Aligning Shopify rates with DN avoids margin surprises and customer confusion.
• Faster onboarding: Doing these steps now prevents rework and integration delays later.

Step 1: Create & install a custom order-fulfillment app

To connect your Shopify store with DecoNetwork for automated order fulfillment, you’ll u’ll create a custom app in Shopify that securely bridges Shopify and your DN FC, allowing order and fulfillment data to flow between systems.

1. In Shopify Admin, go to Settings → Apps and sales channels, then click Develop apps.

   

   1 Choose settings in your Shopify Admin

   

   2 Open the Apps and sales channels area.

2. Click on Develop apps.
   
3. Click Allow custom app development.

   

4. Read the warning and information provided, then click Allow custom app development to confirm.

   

   Enable custom app development for your store.

5. Click on Create an app.

   

6. Configure the app settings in the popup that appears.

   

   • Enter a name for your app (e.g., "DecoNetwork Fulfillment App").
   • Select an App developer. This can be the store owner or any staff member with permission to develop apps.
7. Click Create app.
8. Click on Configure Admin API scopes.

   

9. Under Admin API access scopes, tick the scopes listed below.

   The Admin API Access Scopes define the specific permissions granted to a custom app, determining the types of data and actions it can access or perform within a Shopify store's admin interface.

   Assigned fulfillment orders

   • write_assigned_fulfillment_orders: Grants permission to modify fulfillment orders that have been assigned to a specific fulfillment service. This scope allows the app to update the fulfillment status, assign fulfillment orders, and manage the fulfillment process. It is used by the app to handling order fulfillment and logistics, including managing the dispatch of products from the fulfillment center.
   • read_assigned_fulfillment_orders: Provides access to view fulfillment orders that have been assigned to a specific fulfillment service. This scope allows the app to retrieve information about these orders, such as their status, shipping details, and assigned fulfillment service. It is used by the app to track or manage the status of fulfillment orders to provide insights or ensure proper handling of orders through the fulfillment process.

   Fulfillment services

   • write_fulfillments: Grants the ability to create, update, or cancel fulfillments for orders, including marking an order as shipped or processing returns. This scope is by the app to manage the logistics or fulfillment process of the store.
   • read_fulfillments: Enables the app to access fulfillment information, such as tracking numbers, shipping methods, and statuses of orders that have been shipped. This is used by the app to handle order fulfillment and shipping.

   Inventory

   • write_inventory: Allows the app to update inventory levels for products in the store, such as increasing or decreasing stock quantities. This scope used by the app to handle stock tracking or replenishment.
   • read_inventory: Provides access to view the current inventory levels of products in the store. This scope allows the app to read stock quantities and inventory statuses for individual products or variants.

   Products

   • read_products: Provides access to view product data in the store, including product names, descriptions, pricing, and inventory levels. This scope allows the app to read information about the store's catalog of products.

   

   Select the Admin API scopes needed for DN fulfillment.

10. Click Save to apply these API scopes.
11. Click on Install app at the top right of the app details page.
    
12. In the popup that appears, confirm by clicking Install.
    
13. From the app's details page, click API credentials.
14. Under Admin API access token, click Reveal token once.
    

    Important: The Admin API token is only shown once. Store it in a secure password manager. If lost, you’ll need to regenerate it.

Step 2: Create product metafields for production files

When setting up products in Shopify for fulfillment in a DN FC, it’s essential to configure metafile information that stores the design files used in production. These file metafields enable your designs in Shopify to be automatically matched to the correct decoration areas—namely the front and back—of the blank products in your DN store. Proper product configuration is crucial for smooth fulfillment, as explained in detail in our article "Configuring Products for DecoNetwork Fulfillment in Your Shopify Store." In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the steps to create and configure these file metafields in your Shopify store.

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin
2. In Shopify Admin, go to Settings, the select Custom data from the settings options.

   

   

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

3. Select Products from the Metafield definitions list.

   

4. Click the Add definition button.

   

   1 Create a metafield definition for product files.

   

   2 Metafield configuration settings

   Properly setting up these metafields is essential for ensuring that DN can accurately map your design files to the correct areas of your products. Be sure to configure the validation rules to meet the specific requirements of your FC. Verify what file formats are supported in the FC and configure the validation rules accordingly. This step is critical; if the metafields are not set up correctly, it can cause delays in the design mapping process and potentially slow down production, as you will have to complete the mapping manually later on.

5. Enter a Name for your metafield that reflects its purpose, such as "Front Decoration File."
6. Enter a Namespace and Key.

   Specify a unique namespace and key for your metafield, such as front.decoration_file. This helps in identifying and accessing the metafield later. Shopify will suggest after you have entered a name. You can use the suggested namespace and key if you like.

7. Enter a Description.

   Add a description to clarify the purpose of this metafield, such as "File for front decoration" or "File for back decoration."

8. Select the metafield content type.

   Click on Select type and choose "File" from the list of options. This will allow you to upload design files.

   
9. Set the validation rules.
   • Select the Accept specific file types option and tick the Image checkbox if the product can only be decorated with graphic designs.
     
   • Select the Accept all file types option if the product can be decorated with graphic and embroidery designs.
     
10. Click Save to create the metafield definition.

Step 3: Upload design files to products

Upload the production-ready artwork into the metafields you created. These files are for production (not store visuals) and will be matched by DN during fulfillment.

1. Go to Products in the Shopify admin panel and select a product.

   

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

2. Scroll down to the Metafields section on the product page.

   

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

3. Upload Files. For each metafield you created:
   • Click on the metafield.
     
   • Click Select Image and choose the design file you want to add from your computer.

     

     Attach the correct production file to each metafield.

   Verify supported file formats and resolution requirements with your DN FC before uploading. Correct specs reduce manual mapping and speed up production.

4. Click Save to update the product with the new file metafield.

Step 4: Configure product inventory for the DN location

For a product in Shopify to be eligible for fulfillment through DecoNetwork, its inventory must be properly configured. A crucial step is ensuring that the product is stocked at the location assigned to your DecoNetwork Fulfillment Center.

When trying to send an order to DecoNetwork, Shopify references the product’s inventory location. If the product is not stocked at the designated fulfillment location, Shopify will not be able to push the order to DecoNetwork for processing.

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin.
2. Go to Products in the Shopify admin panel and select the product you want to configure inventory for.

   

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

3. Scroll down to the Variants section on the product page.

   

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

4. Tick the Variant checkbox at the top of the variants list.

   

5. Click on the Bulk edit button.

   

6. For each SKU, double-click in the cell of the DN store location's Available column or On hand column.

   Make sure the Stock at this location checkbox is ticked.

   

   

   Confirm stock is tracked at the DN fulfillment location.

   Click the image to enlarge.

7. Click Save to update the settings.

Step 5: Set up shipping methods & rates to match DN

DN does not directly sync Shopify shipping rates. You will need to manually create Shopify shipping profiles, zones, and flat rates that mirror the methods and fees configured in DN.

1. Open your web browser and go to your Shopify Admin page.
2. Click on Settings in the bottom-left corner of the admin dashboard.
3. Select Shipping and delivery.

   

   

   

   Click the image to enlarge.

4. Click on Create a new profile under Custom shipping rates.

   

5. Enter a name for the shipping option in the Profile Name field.
   
6. Click on Add products.
   
7. Select all the products that you want to be fulfilled in DN.
   
8. Click Done.
9. Click Save.
   
10. Click on the new profile you have just created.
    
11. Click on Add shipping zone under Fulfillment Locations.

    The Create new shipping zone popup is displayed.

    

12. Enter a name for the shipping zone in the Zone name field.

13. Select the countries and regions that you want to be in the zone.

14. Click Done.

15. Next to the zone that you just created, click Add rate.
    
16. Make sure Use flat rate is selected in the Rate type field.
    
17. Choose Custom from the Shipping rate dropdown list.
    

    Add rate popup.

    Additional setup fields displayed for the custom rate.

    

    Mirror DN shipping methods with Shopify flat rates.

18. Enter a name for the rate in the Custom rate name field.
19. Enter a description in the Custom delivery description field.
20. Enter the shipping rate in the Price field.
21. Click Done, then click Save.

Best-Practice Tips

• Token hygiene: Store the Admin API token in a secure vault; rotate it if team access changes.
• Least privilege: Only grant the scopes listed; avoid unnecessary access.
• Metafield naming: Use consistent namespaces/keys (e.g., front.decoration_file, back.decoration_file).
• File conventions: Standardize filenames (e.g., sku_front.png, sku_back.png).
• Test flow: Before going live, create a draft product and run a full test order through to DN.

Troubleshooting

• “Develop apps” is disabled: You need the right Shopify plan and permissions. Ask the store owner to enable it.
• Orders aren’t pushing to DN: Confirm the product is stocked at the DN fulfillment location and that the required scopes are set.
• Missing API token: The token displays once. Regenerate credentials if lost, then update your integration settings.
• Artwork not mapping: Ensure you used the correct metafield(s) and supported file formats. DN supports one design per view.
• Shipping mismatches: Reconcile Shopify flat rates with DN’s configured methods and fees.

FAQs

1. Can I assign multiple designs to a single view?
   No. The integration supports one design per view (e.g., front, back). Choose the most appropriate area.
2. Which Admin API scopes are required?
   Assigned fulfillment orders (read/write), Fulfillments (read/write), Inventory (read/write), and Products (read).
3. Do I need to change my theme for metafields?
   No. These metafields are used for production, not storefront rendering.
4. How do I know my inventory is set to the DN location?
   Use Variants → Bulk edit and confirm Stock at this location is checked for your DN location.

Additional Resources

• Shopify & DecoNetwork Integration Part 2: Enabling Integration in DN
• DecoNetwork Shopify Integration FAQ
• Configuring Products for DecoNetwork Fulfillment in Your Shopify Store
• Overview of DecoNetwork’s Fulfill Shopify Orders
• Configuring Automatic or Manual Fulfillment in Shopify