Merch Factory connects to WooCommerce through the official WooCommerce REST API, with an optional free plugin that adds a Merch Factory screen inside WP Admin. This guide explains exactly what you set up, what is sent where, and when.
A. Versions: WordPress 6.0+ and WooCommerce 7.0+ (HPOS is supported).
B. HTTPS: your store must be reachable over HTTPS so credentials are protected.
C. Pretty permalinks: in WordPress go to Settings > Permalinks and pick anything except "Plain", otherwise the REST API is unavailable.
1. Download the plugin: merch-factory-woocommerce.zip. In WP Admin go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, upload it and click Activate. The live plugin link (WordPress.org directory) will be available soon.
2. In your Merch Factory dashboard open WooCommerce, enter your store URL and click Connect.
3. WooCommerce asks you to approve access for "Merch Factory". Click Approve. API keys are generated for you and stored encrypted — you never copy keys by hand.
4. Open the Merch Factory menu in WP Admin to see your orders, live factory status and wallet balance inside WordPress.
The plugin is optional for order sync, products and tracking (those use the REST API), but it gives you the embedded portal, a factory-status column on your Orders screen and tracking details for your customers.
1. Design your garment in the Product Designer and save it.
2. In Saved Products click Publish to WooCommerce.
3. Choose sizes and your retail price.
4. A variable product is created with mockups, a size chart, size variations and the right stock levels.
1. Keep your own product pages, photos and SEO.
2. Open WooCommerce > Products in Merch Factory and click Link Variants.
3. Map each size to a Merch Factory blank.
4. We only set the SKU (MF-…) on those products — nothing else on your page changes.
1. Customer orders on your store. Orders with Merch Factory products in Processing or On hold are importable.
2. Orders are pulled when you look. Open WooCommerce orders in Merch Factory (or the Merch Factory screen in WP Admin) and your latest orders are fetched from your store. Cancelled and refunded orders are shown too but cannot be placed.
3. You place the order. One click opens it pre-filled; confirm and pay the base cost from your wallet. COD orders are marked for COD collection.
4. We print, pack under your brand and dispatch within 24–48 hours.
5. Tracking comes back automatically. The order becomes Completed, the courier, AWB and tracking link are saved on it, and your customer is emailed the tracking details.
6. Delivery is confirmed. When the courier delivers, a delivery note is added and emailed to your customer. Failed delivery attempts and returns (RTO) appear as private notes for you.
With the plugin installed, the Merch Factory column on your Orders screen follows each order. The standard WooCommerce Status column only changes to Completed when the order ships; we never change it otherwise.
Ready to Place: the order is in WooCommerce and not yet placed with Merch Factory.
Processing: you placed it; it is queued for production.
In Production: the print team has started on it.
Fulfilled: it shipped, the order is Completed and your customer has the tracking.
Delivered: the courier confirmed delivery.
Delivery Failed: a delivery attempt failed (NDR). It returns to Delivered if a later attempt succeeds.
Returning (RTO) / Returned (RTO): the parcel is on its way back, then has reached us.
Cancelled, refunded and failed WooCommerce orders keep their own status. Fulfilled and the delivery statuses need "Auto-update tracking" turned on.
Orders (WooCommerce → Merch Factory): pulled when you open the orders screen — not pushed instantly.
Live stock (Merch Factory → WooCommerce): sent automatically whenever factory availability changes: in stock = 100, low = 5, out of stock = 0. You can also press Sync Live Stock.
Tracking (Merch Factory → WooCommerce): automatic on dispatch, if "Auto-update tracking" is on in your WooCommerce settings. It is sent once per shipment, so customers never get duplicate emails.
Delivery, failed attempts, returns: automatic as the courier reports them (same setting).
Products: created or linked by you; we only touch products you publish or link.
Connect says the store is unreachable: use your public HTTPS address; local addresses such as localhost are only accepted in development.
The Merch Factory screen in WP Admin says the portal is not activated: open the WooCommerce page in your Merch Factory dashboard once, then reload WP Admin.
REST API errors / 404: re-save Settings > Permalinks and make sure a security plugin or firewall is not blocking /wp-json/.
Tracking was not sent: check that Auto-update tracking is on, then use Reconnect if you rotated your API keys.
Zero inventory, no minimums and pan-India delivery under your own brand.
Connect Your WooCommerce StoreNo. Order sync, product linking, stock and tracking use the WooCommerce REST API. The free plugin adds the embedded Merch Factory screen in WP Admin, a factory-status column on your Orders screen and tracking details for customers.
Orders are fetched when you open the WooCommerce orders screen in Merch Factory or the Merch Factory page in WP Admin. Nothing is produced until you place the order.
The order is marked Completed, the courier name, AWB and tracking link are saved on the order and your customer is emailed the tracking details (once per shipment).
Yes. When the courier confirms delivery a note is added and emailed to your customer. Failed delivery attempts and returns appear as private notes for you.
Only a nominal quantity is sent (100 in stock, 5 low, 0 out of stock) so customers cannot order sizes we cannot make.
Keys are generated by WooCommerce when you approve access and are stored encrypted. You can revoke them any time in WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced > REST API.
Ready to move from research to action? Connect your online store in under 15 minutes and automate your entire fulfillment process.
Thinking of launching your own apparel line? This guide covers everything from legal registration to choosing Merch Factory as your 100% automated POD partner.
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