Getting Started
Getting Started#
This guide walks you through installing Emboss - PDF Invoices and Packing Slips for WooCommerce and generating your first PDF in under 60 seconds.
Installation#
The plugin is currently pending review on WordPress.org. Once approved, you’ll have two install options.
Option 1: from your WordPress dashboard (recommended)#
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress admin.
- Search for “Emboss”.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
Option 2: download from WordPress.org#
- Download the plugin zip from WordPress.org.
- Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
- Choose the downloaded zip and click Install Now.
- Click Activate.
Make sure WooCommerce 8.0+ is installed and active before activating Emboss. The plugin requires PHP 8.1+ and WordPress 6.4+.
The 60-second setup#
After activation, a welcome notice appears with a Set up now button. Click it to launch the setup wizard.
Step 1: welcome#
The wizard greets you and confirms what’s about to happen. Click Continue.
Step 2: branding#
- Upload a logo — drag and drop, or click to browse the WordPress media library.
- Company name — pre-filled from your WooCommerce store name. Override if needed.
- Accent color — pick the colour used for the document title and badge accents.
A live preview shows your changes.
Step 3: legal#
- Tax/VAT number — required in many jurisdictions, optional otherwise.
- Company registration number — for jurisdictions that require it on invoices.
- Registered name and registered address — leave blank to use the company name and address from Step 2.
Skip any field. You can fill them in later from the Settings screen.
Step 4: done#
The wizard confirms setup is complete. Your next order will automatically generate a PDF and attach it to the customer email.
The wizard never returns once dismissed or completed. All wizard steps are also available in the regular settings.
Place a test order#
The fastest way to confirm everything works:
- Go to WooCommerce > Orders and click Add order (or place a test order from the storefront).
- Set the order to Processing or Completed.
- Open the order edit screen. The Emboss metabox should show a generated invoice number.
- Click Download to view the PDF.
- Check the email that was sent to the customer — the PDF should be attached.
Where to find things#
| Where | What |
|---|---|
| WooCommerce > Settings > Invoices | Plugin settings (six tabs: General, Branding, Legal, Numbering, Emails, Advanced) |
| WooCommerce > Orders | Invoice number column, row download icon, bulk actions |
| WooCommerce > Orders > [order] | Emboss metabox in the order edit sidebar |
| My Account > Orders (frontend) | Customer “Download invoice / receipt / credit note” buttons |
| Order received page (Thank You) | Download button after checkout |
| WooCommerce > Settings > Invoices > Advanced | Backfill tool, CSV export, REST API toggle, debug mode |
What happens automatically#
After setup, here’s what runs without you doing anything:
- Order moves to Processing → Invoice PDF is generated and attached to the Customer Processing Order email.
- Order moves to Completed → Receipt PDF is generated (with a PAID badge) and attached to the Customer Completed Order email.
- Order is refunded → Credit Note PDF is generated and attached to the Customer Refunded Order email.
- Admin receives a New Order email → A copy of the Invoice is attached.
- Customer logs into My Account → Download buttons appear next to each order.
- Customer lands on the Thank You page → A Download button appears below the order summary.
You can disable any of the above per email type from the Emails tab.
Common follow-ups#
- Read Document Types to understand how the plugin decides between Invoice, Receipt, Credit Note, and Packing Slip.
- Read Sequential Numbering to configure your invoice number format (e.g.,
INV-2026-000042). - Read Templates & Branding to switch between Modern, Classic, Minimal, and Thermal variants.
- Read Settings Reference for every setting in detail.
Troubleshooting#
The metabox isn’t showing on the order edit screen#
Make sure WooCommerce is active and you’re using a recent version (8.0+). Try deactivating and reactivating the plugin. Check the WooCommerce log under WooCommerce > Status > Logs for any errors with the source easy-pdf-invoices.
The PDF didn’t attach to the customer email#
Open the order and click Regenerate in the metabox. Then click Email to customer. If the PDF doesn’t arrive, check that Customer Processing Order is enabled in WooCommerce > Settings > Emails, and that the per-email toggle in Settings > Invoices > Emails is on for that email.
The setup wizard didn’t appear#
Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Invoices and configure each tab manually. The wizard is one-time and dismissible — if you missed it, the regular settings cover the same ground.
For more help, visit Themology Support.