SKU-Based Label Sorting
The Random Order Problem: Why Flipkart Labels Need Sorting
When you download shipping labels from the Flipkart Seller Hub, the label order is completely random. A PDF containing 100 orders might look like this:
- Page 1: Blue T-Shirt (Size L)
- Page 2: Black Jeans (Size 32)
- Page 3: Blue T-Shirt (Size M)
- Page 4: Red Kurta (Size XL)
- Page 5: Blue T-Shirt (Size L)
- Page 6: Black Jeans (Size 30)
- ... and so on for 100 orders
Without sorting, your packing team has to:
- Read each label individually
- Walk to different warehouse locations for every single order
- Search for the exact size among similar products
- Come back to the packing station, pack the order, then repeat
This is incredibly inefficient. A team that should process 200 orders in 2 hours ends up taking 5–6 hours because of the constant back-and-forth walking.
Real-World Data: According to warehouse efficiency studies, unsorted picking (where each order is processed individually) wastes 40–60% of time on walking between locations. Batch picking (enabled by SKU sorting) reduces walking time to under 15%.
What Is SKU-Based Label Sorting?
SKU sorting means rearranging your Flipkart shipping labels so that all labels for the same product and size are grouped together. After sorting, the same 100-order PDF looks like this:
- Pages 1–15: Blue T-Shirt (Size L) — 15 orders
- Pages 16–23: Blue T-Shirt (Size M) — 8 orders
- Pages 24–35: Black Jeans (Size 32) — 12 orders
- Pages 36–42: Black Jeans (Size 30) — 7 orders
- Pages 43–50: Red Kurta (Size XL) — 8 orders
- ... and so on, highest volume products first
Now your packing team can pick all 15 Blue T-Shirts (Size L) at once from the warehouse, bring them to the packing station, and pack all 15 orders sequentially. Then move to the next group.
Benefits of Sorting Flipkart Labels by SKU
60% Faster Packing
Batch packing identical items eliminates repeated warehouse trips. Process 200 orders in 2 hours instead of 5.
Fewer Packing Errors
When you're packing 15 identical items in a row, the risk of sending the wrong size or product drops to nearly zero.
Instant Picking Lists
Know exactly how many units of each SKU you need before you start. If something is out of stock, adjust quantities instantly.
Parallel Packing
Assign different SKU groups to different team members. Everyone works independently without conflicts.
Lower Return Rate
Fewer wrong-item dispatches means fewer customer returns, improving your Flipkart seller rating.
Scale Easily
Sorted workflows scale linearly. Going from 100 to 500 orders/day requires more hands, not more time per order.
How EasyOrderLabel Sorts Flipkart Labels
Our sorting engine processes your Flipkart PDF in several stages:
Stage 1: Label Detection
The system scans each page of your PDF and identifies the shipping label area. It detects the product name, SKU code, size, and barcode from the label content using text extraction.
Stage 2: Data Extraction
From each label, the system extracts:
- Product Name — e.g., "Men's Cotton T-Shirt"
- SKU / FSID — the unique product identifier
- Size / Variant — e.g., "L", "XL", "32", "Free Size"
- AWB Number — the courier tracking number
- Courier Partner — Ekart, Delhivery, etc.
Stage 3: Grouping & Sorting
Labels are grouped by SKU + Size combination. Within each group, they're arranged by quantity (highest volume SKUs first). This means your most popular products appear at the top of the PDF, allowing you to process the bulk of your orders quickly.
Stage 4: Output Generation
The system generates:
- Sorted PDF — Labels rearranged by SKU groups, auto-cropped for thermal printing
- Excel Report — A summary of all SKUs with quantities, serving as your picking list
Complete Warehouse Packing Workflow with Sorted Labels
Download & Upload
Download your batch labels from Flipkart Seller Hub. Upload the PDF to EasyOrderLabel for automatic sorting and cropping.
Review Picking List
Check the auto-generated Excel report. It shows exactly how many units of each SKU you need. Adjust quantities if anything is out of stock.
Batch Pick from Warehouse
Using the picking list, collect all units of each SKU at once. No need to go back and forth — pick 20 Blue T-Shirts in one trip.
Print Sorted Labels
Print the sorted PDF on your thermal printer. Labels come out in the same order as your picked items — Blue T-Shirts first, then Jeans, etc.
Sequential Packing
Pack all items of one SKU sequentially — stick label, seal package, place in dispatch area. Then move to the next SKU group.
Dispatch
All packed orders are ready for courier pickup. The sorted workflow ensures nothing is missed or duplicated.
Understanding the Excel Picking List
The auto-generated picking list is one of the most valuable features for warehouse operations. Here's what it contains:
| Column | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Sequential number for each SKU group | 1, 2, 3... |
| Product Name | Full product name from the Flipkart label | Men's Cotton Round Neck T-Shirt |
| SKU / FSID | Your unique product identifier | TSH-BLU-001 |
| Size | Product size or variant | L, XL, 32, Free Size |
| Quantity | Number of orders for this SKU+Size combination | 15 |
Pro Tip: Print the picking list and hand it to your warehouse team before they start picking. They can check off each SKU as they collect it. If any item is out of stock, change the quantity to 0 on the EasyOrderLabel results page — it will be excluded from the sorted PDF.
Time Savings: Sorted vs Unsorted Packing
| Daily Orders | Unsorted Packing Time | Sorted (SKU) Packing Time | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 orders | 2.5 hours | 1 hour | 1.5 hours/day |
| 100 orders | 5 hours | 2 hours | 3 hours/day |
| 200 orders | 9–10 hours | 3.5–4 hours | 5–6 hours/day |
| 500 orders | 20+ hours (multiple shifts) | 7–8 hours | 12+ hours/day |
Note: These estimates are based on average warehouse conditions with 3–4 team members. Actual savings depend on warehouse layout, product variety, and team experience. The key takeaway: sorted labels always result in significantly faster processing.