Syncing connects your store product listings with Printful by linking them to the correct catalog product, design file, and print placement, so we can fulfill your orders.
Products published directly from Printful are synced automatically. However, manual syncing is useful if you’re importing products from your store (for example, when migrating from another print-on-demand provider) or if a previously synced product has become unsynced. This way, you can synchronize your current store listings with Printful products to retain existing reviews and traffic, while Printful handles fulfillment.
Follow the steps below to manually sync your products so they’re ready for automatic fulfillment when orders are placed. If you prefer, you can use Sync as you go—this lets you sync products only when orders come in, which is especially useful when migrating a large catalog.
Step 1: Import the products if needed
Go to Dashboard → Stores (or My products → Published), select your store, and toggle on Import not synced products from [your platform].
This will import all product listings in your connected store, including those fulfilled by yourself or other providers. After you've completed syncing the needed products, you can disable this toggle and you'll be given an option to delete the rest of the unsynced products from Printful.
Step 2: Edit the product
You can find unsynced products under the Not synced tab, imported listings will appear under the Imported tab.
Click Edit → Choose product to sync a product variant, or click Sync product if you're in the Imported tab.
Step 3: Pick the Printful product
Now you should either pick a product from the Printful catalog, or pick one of your already created product templates or published products.
Make sure that the size and color in the Design Maker matches the product variant you're syncing.
Step 4: Add or review the design
If you picked a product from the catalog, you'll have to add the design. If you picked a product template or an existing product, you can simply review the design.
Click Continue to complete the sync.
Step 5: Complete the sync
If the product has two options - color and/or size, the AI product sync wizard may offer to apply the same settings across other variants to match.
If you don't see this option, you should repeat the manual process for each product variant. We suggest creating a product template before manually syncing to speed up the process.
Sync as you go
Instead of syncing all products upfront, you can leave them unsynced and sync them only when orders are placed. This approach is helpful if:
- You have a large catalog and don’t want to sync everything manually in advance
- You’re migrating from another provider and want to handle products gradually
Keep in mind:
- Fulfillment may be delayed, since first-time orders must be manually confirmed and synced
- Each product variant needs to be synced the first time it appears in an order
How to enable this option
- Go to Dashboard → Settings → Store settings → Orders → Sync as you go
- Enable Import unsynced orders
Depending on your integration:
- If you see the Import unsynced products toggle, you'll need to enable it as well
- For Shopify, only Import unsynced products needs to be enabled for unsynced orders to import
How it works
- Wait for an order to come in
- The order will appear in your Dashboard as a draft with a Not synced status
- Open the order and click Complete order
- Click Sync product
- Choose a product from:
- Printful catalog
- Product templates
- Existing published products
- Review or upload your design and confirm placement
- Complete the checkout
Once synced, the order can proceed to fulfillment, and future orders for that product variant will be processed automatically.
Still need help? Our Support Team is here for you—reach out anytime through our contact form or start a chat with us.