Shopify & DecoNetwork Integration Part 1: Shopify Setup Guide

To connect your Shopify store with a DecoNetwork (DN) fulfillment center for efficient order fulfillment, you need to install a custom order fulfillment app in Shopify. This app will facilitate direct communication between DN and Shopify, automating and streamlining the fulfillment process. Also, you'll need to configure product metadata in your Shopify store to store designs and then upload design files to your products. This tutorial will walk you through every step required to enable this integration on your Shopify store. These tasks are to be completed by the Shopify store before connection with a DN store can take place.

In this article

• Step 1: Setting Up the DecoNetwork Integration – Create and Install a Custom Order Fulfillment App
• Step 2: Setting Up Product Meta File Information
• Step 3: Uploading Design Files to Products
• Step 4: Configuring Product Inventory for DecoNetwork Fulfillment
• Step 5: Setting Up Shipping Methods for Orders Fulfilled in DecoNetwork

Step 1: Setting Up the DecoNetwork Integration – Create and Install a Custom Order Fulfillment App

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin.
2. Click on Settings in the bottom-left corner of the admin dashboard.
   
3. Select Apps and sales channels.
   
4. Click on Develop apps.
   
5. Click Allow custom app development.
   
6. Read the warning and information provided. Confirm by clicking Allow custom app development.
   
7. Click on Create an app.
   
8. 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.
9. Click Create app to proceed.
10. Click on Configure Admin API scopes.
    
11. 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.
    
12. Click Save to apply these API scopes.
13. Click on Install app at the top right of the app details page.
    
14. In the popup that appears, confirm by clicking Install.
    
15. From the app's details page, click API credentials.
16. Under Admin API access token, click Reveal token once.
    

    Note: This token is only visible once. Record it securely.

Step 2: Setting Up Product Meta File Information

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. Click on Settings in the bottom-left corner of the admin dashboard.
   
3. Select Custom data from the settings options.
   

   

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4. Select Products from the Metafield definitions list.
   
5. Click the Add definition button.
   

   The metafield configuration settings are displayed.

   

   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.

6. Enter a Name for your metafield that reflects its purpose, such as "Front Decoration File."
7. 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.

8. Enter a Description.

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

9. 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.

   
10. 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.

    
11. Click Save to create the metafield definition.

Step 3. Uploading Design Files to Products

When configuring your Shopify products that are to be fulfilled by a DN FC, one critical step in the process is uploading the correct design files. It's essential to understand that these design files are intended for the production of the finished product, not for promotional use on your Shopify store.

1. Go to Products in the Shopify admin panel and select the product to which you want to add the metafield.
   

   

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

   

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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.
     

   Verity which file formats are supported in your FC. When uploading your files, ensure they meet the FC's design requirements, such as resolution for raster-based formats. Failure to comply may require you to redo the design mapping later, potentially delaying production.

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

Step 4: Configuring Product Inventory for DecoNetwork Fulfillment

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. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the steps to configure the inventory for a product in Shopify, ensuring it is correctly linked to DN for fulfillment.

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.
   

   

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

   

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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.

   

   

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7. Click Save to update the settings.

Step 5: Setting Up Shipping Methods for Orders Fulfilled in DecoNetwork

When you plan to have products fulfilled in DN, it is essential that you configure shipping methods in your Shopify store to align with the shipping fees charged in DN. Since DN does not support direct shipping integration with Shopify, you will need to manually set up shipping options in Shopify. To establish accurate rates, check the shipping method configurations in your DN FC and use this information to create your shipping rates in Shopify.

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.
   

   

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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.
    

    The Add rate popup is displayed.

    
16. Make sure Use flat rate is selected in the Rate type field.
17. Choose Custom from the Shipping rate dropdown list.
    

    Additional setup fields displayed for the custom rate.

    
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.