Packing slips vs invoices — what's the difference?

Order documents look similar, but each has a different job. Here’s a quick guide.

Invoice

A request for payment — or a record of a sale — with your business details, the customer’s details, line items, taxes and a unique invoice number. Business customers often need one for their accounts.

Receipt

Confirms that payment was received. Useful for customers who paid up front and just want proof of purchase.

Packing slip

Goes in the box. It lists the items and quantities in the shipment and the shipping address — usually without prices. Your warehouse uses it to pick and pack, and your customer uses it to check the parcel.

Credit note

Issued when you refund all or part of an order. It reduces the amount of the original invoice and keeps your numbering clean.

Doing it in InvoiceCraft

InvoiceCraft has a template for each type. Select a day’s orders and use Print packing slips to get one merged PDF for the warehouse, while invoices are emailed to customers automatically after payment.