Skip to main content

Design–print pipeline

Workflows is the manufacturing board for custom order units. Typical happy path: Stock → Design → Approval Requested → Approved → Printing → Ready → Completed. Exception stages include Failed, Cancelled, and (mugs) Broken.

Who and where​

  • Roles: Admin (full board); Design (focus Design — draggable only in Design); Print (focus Printing — draggable only in Printing)
  • Routes: /workflows, /workflows/{category-slug}
  • Nav: Sidebar → Workflows (header Workflow Board)

Related: Admin Orders board (order must reach Processing before units appear).

Stages (exact labels)​

StatusRole of stage
StockUnit created; waiting to enter design
DesignArtwork preparation; upload design files here
Approval RequestedWaiting for approval
ApprovedCleared for print
PrintingIn print production
BrokenMug path only — reprint / restart path
ReadyFinished production, awaiting complete
CompletedDone
Failed / CancelledException exits (may restart from Failed)

Workflow type labels on cards include Back Case, Soft Case, Mug, Custom Manufacturing (and title-cased category-derived types).

Allowed moves (summary)​

Default (non-mug) transitions the board offers are driven by the API (allowedNextStatuses). Common path:

  1. Stock → Design (also Cancelled / Failed)
  2. Design → Approval Requested, Approved, or Printing (also Failed / Cancelled) — leaving Design requires at least one design file
  3. Approval Requested → Approved or back to Design
  4. Approved → Printing
  5. Printing → Ready
  6. Ready → Completed

Mug also allows Printing / Ready ↔ Broken, and Broken → Stock or Cancelled.

Invalid drops toast Invalid transition.

1. Open the Workflow Board​

  1. Sign in (Design / Print land on /workflows by default).
  2. Open Workflows.
  3. Use tab All Workflows or a category tab (slug updates the URL).
  4. Optional search: Search by order, customer, item, or category…
  5. Optional chips: Order:, POS:, Customer: (clear with ×).

Role badges: Design sees Viewing: Design; Print sees Viewing: Printing.

Workflow board

2. Read grouped cards​

  1. Units are grouped by order (#orderId, POS, customer, item count).
  2. Each unit shows stage, type label, and optional Failure: / Cancelled: text when the API provides a reason.
  3. Footer Change Status lists allowed next statuses, or No transitions if none.

3. Design handoff (happy path)​

  1. Find a unit in Stock (admin) or already in Design.
  2. Move Stock → Design (drag or Change Status) when needed.
  3. Click the card to open unit detail.
  4. Under Design Files, click Upload Design File (status Design; admin or design). Wait for Uploading… to finish.
  5. Move to Approval Requested (or directly Approved / Printing when allowed).
  6. From Approval Requested, choose Approved (admin path sets approval source Admin) or return to Design.
  7. Move Approved → Printing.

Without a design file, leaving Design fails with: Please upload at least one design file before moving to the next stage.

4. Print handoff​

  1. As Print (or Admin), locate units in Printing.
  2. Print staff can drag only cards in Printing.
  3. Move Printing → Ready (Mug: use Broken when reprint is needed).
  4. Move Ready → Completed.

When all units on an order complete, order status can become Completed. Approval / Failed / Cancelled units can push the order to Needs Action.

5. Unit detail tools​

  1. Open a card.
  2. Review Customer, Order Item, Unit #n · {type}.
  3. Catalog design: Download / View full size; heed No print file — preview cannot be used for print when shown.
  4. Customer Uploaded Images appear in Design / Approval / Approved / Printing stages.
  5. Shipping Details show for admin; hidden for design/print.
  6. Footer: Close, Activity, View Full Order Details.

Verify in UI: Design/Print opening View Full Order Details may fail if the full order API is admin/accounts-only; unit detail still shows board data.

6. Activity timeline​

  1. Click Activity.
  2. Review events such as Unit Created, Status Changed, Approval Requested, Approved, Marked Broken, Marked Failed, Restarted, Cancelled.
  3. Add comments with Add a comment… (Enter to send; Shift+Enter for a new line).

Checklist​

  • Order is Processing so units exist for custom items.
  • Design file uploaded before leaving Design.
  • Approval path used when the shop requires customer/POS/admin sign-off.
  • Print only moves Printing → Ready → Completed (plus mug Broken when needed).
  • Failed/Cancelled units reviewed so the parent order leaves Needs Action.