Why Order Printer Falls Short for Shopify Stores
Order Printer Apps has its strengths, but when it comes to maximizing Shopify revenue, several key limitations become apparent. Here’s why merchants are looking for alternatives.
1. Shopify Includes Free Order Printing
Shopify has a built-in Order Printer that generates invoices and packing slips. It’s basic but functional. Unless you have specific legal, B2B, or branding requirements for invoices, the free option covers most needs. Premium order printer apps add templates and automation, but these are “nice to have” rather than revenue drivers.
2. Back-Office Tools Don’t Generate Revenue
Invoices and packing slips are operational necessities, not growth tools. No customer has ever chosen to buy from a store because its invoices looked professional. Meanwhile, EA Spin Wheel captures 8–15% of visitors as email subscribers, directly building your revenue pipeline.
3. Budget Misallocation
Spending $10–$30/mo on a premium invoice app while lacking email capture, upsell, or conversion tools is a common budget mistake. That same $10–$30/mo invested in EA Spin Wheel and EA Upsell can generate thousands of additional subscribers and significant AOV increases.
4. Diminishing Returns on Document Polish
A beautifully designed invoice doesn’t change customer behavior. A well-timed spin wheel popup captures 1,200 emails per month from 10,000 visitors. The ROI difference between polished documents and conversion tools is enormous.
5. Automation Overkill for Small Stores
Premium order printer apps often market automation features: auto-send invoices, batch PDF generation, multi-language support. For stores processing fewer than 500 orders/month, Shopify’s built-in tools and simple email notifications cover these needs adequately.
EA Apps vs Order Printer: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | EA Apps | Order Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | Free plans; premium from $9.99/app | $8.99–$29.99/mo |
| Revenue Impact | Direct — email capture + upsell | None — operational tool |
| Email Capture | 8–15% opt-in with gamification | No |
| AOV Increase | 15–25% with EA Upsell | None |
| Customer-Facing Impact | High — popups, bars, upsells | None — back-office only |
| Free Alternative Available | EA apps have free plans | Shopify built-in Order Printer |
| Growth Contribution | Directly grows subscriber list and revenue | Operational maintenance only |
| Setup Time | Under 10 minutes per app | 15–30 minutes |
5 Reasons EA Apps Beat Order Printer for Shopify Revenue
1. Revenue Generation vs. Operational Polish
EA apps directly generate revenue through email capture and upsells. Order printer apps polish back-office documents. For growing stores, every dollar should go toward tools that bring in more customers and increase order values.
2. Shopify’s Free Tool Handles the Basics
Shopify’s built-in Order Printer creates invoices and packing slips. It’s not fancy, but it works. Use the free option for orders and invest the savings in conversion tools that grow your business.
3. Email Subscribers Have Compound Value
One EA Spin Wheel installation capturing 1,000 emails/month creates a compounding asset. Those subscribers generate repeat purchases for months and years. A premium invoice template has zero compounding value.
4. Redirect Budget to Growth
If you’re spending $15/mo on an order printer app, redirecting that to EA Spin Wheel premium ($9.99/mo) gives you advanced email capture features that generate far more value than pretty invoices.
5. Prioritize Customer-Facing Tools
Customers interact with your popups, upsells, and shipping bars on every visit. They see an invoice once, briefly, after purchase. Invest in the touchpoints that influence buying decisions.
Cost Comparison: Order Printer vs EA Apps
| Setup | Monthly Cost | Key Features | ROI / Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Built-in Order Printer | $0 | Basic invoices and packing slips | N/A |
| Premium Order Printer App | $8.99–$29.99 | Templates, automation, branding | No revenue impact |
| EA Spin Wheel + Upsell (free) | $0 | 8–15% capture, 15–25% AOV lift | High ROI |
| EA Suite Premium | $19.98 | Full conversion features | Very High ROI |
How to Switch from Order Printer to EA Apps
Step 1: Switch to Shopify’s Built-in Order Printer
If you’re using a premium order printer app, test Shopify’s free Order Printer for your basic invoice and packing slip needs. Most stores find it adequate.
Step 2: Install EA Conversion Tools
Install EA Spin Wheel and EA Upsell with the budget saved from your order printer app.
Step 3: Measure Revenue Impact
Track email captures and upsell acceptance rates for 30 days. Compare the revenue generated by EA apps to the operational value of a premium invoice app.
Step 4: Cancel Premium Order Printer If Redundant
Most merchants find Shopify’s free option handles invoices adequately and EA apps deliver far more ROI than premium document templates.
💡 Pro Tip: Run EA apps for 7–14 days before removing Order Printer. This gives you direct comparison data to confirm the revenue impact of switching.
Who Should Keep Using Order Printer?
Premium order printer apps are justified for B2B/wholesale stores with specific invoice compliance requirements, stores in EU/UK markets requiring detailed VAT invoices, businesses that need automated multi-language invoice generation, or high-volume stores (1,000+ orders/day) where batch processing saves significant time. For standard DTC Shopify stores, Shopify’s built-in tools suffice.
Strategic App Budget Allocation for Growing Stores
For growing Shopify stores with limited app budgets, every dollar should be allocated to maximize revenue impact. Here’s a framework for prioritizing app investments:
Tier 1 (Revenue Generators): Email capture (EA Spin Wheel), upsell and cross-sell (EA Upsell), and purchase motivation tools (EA Free Shipping Bar, EA Sticky ATC). These apps directly generate measurable revenue and should be your first installations. All offer free plans.
Tier 2 (Conversion Enhancers): Page speed optimization (EA Page Speed Booster), countdown timers (EA Countdown Timer), and announcement bars (EA Announcement Bar). These enhance the conversion environment and support Tier 1 tools.
Tier 3 (Operational Tools): Order printing, inventory management, shipping label generation. These improve operational efficiency but don’t generate new revenue. Use Shopify’s built-in tools where possible.
Tier 4 (Nice-to-Have): Instagram feeds, advanced analytics dashboards, loyalty programs (for stores without 5,000+ customers). Add these only after Tiers 1–3 are fully optimized.
Premium order printer apps fall squarely in Tier 3. They’re useful for operational efficiency but should never be prioritized over Tier 1 revenue generators. Many merchants make the mistake of installing operational tools first because they “feel necessary” — but necessity doesn’t equal priority when your goal is revenue growth.
The exception to this framework is stores with legal invoice requirements (EU VAT invoices, B2B compliance). In these cases, a premium order printer app is a compliance necessity, not a choice. But even then, it should be installed alongside Tier 1 revenue tools, not instead of them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shopify have a free order printer?
Yes. Shopify includes a built-in Order Printer that generates basic invoices and packing slips. It’s accessible from the order details page in your Shopify admin. For most DTC stores, this free option is sufficient.
What is the best Order Printer alternative for Shopify?
For invoices, use Shopify’s free built-in Order Printer. Redirect your app budget to revenue-generating tools: EA Spin Wheel for email capture and EA Upsell for AOV growth.
Are order printer apps worth it on Shopify?
For most DTC stores, no. Shopify’s free Order Printer handles basic needs. The $9–$30/mo spent on premium invoice apps delivers better ROI when invested in conversion tools like EA Spin Wheel.
Do customers care about invoice design?
Customers rarely notice invoice design. They care about product quality, delivery speed, and shopping experience. Invest in customer-facing conversion tools (popups, upsells, shipping bars) rather than back-office document aesthetics.
What Shopify apps should I prioritize over order printers?
Prioritize email capture (EA Spin Wheel), upsells (EA Upsell), free shipping bars (EA Shipping Bar), and page speed (EA Speed Booster). These directly impact revenue. Add premium order printing only after your conversion stack is optimized.