Setup Guide
How to set up Printly
From zero to auto-printing labels in about 4 minutes. Download the app, sign in, pick your printer — done.
What you need
- A thermal label printer (DYMO, Rollo, Zebra, MUNBYN, etc.)
- A Mac (macOS 12+) or Windows (10/11) computer
- A Printly account — free to create
1
Download & install Printly
2 minDownload the Printly desktop app for your operating system. Whatnot is built right in — no browser extension needed.
Mac:If macOS says "can't be opened because it's from an unidentified developer," right-click the app → Open → Open. This is expected for apps outside the Mac App Store.
2
Sign in with your email
1 minOpen Printly. You'll see a sign-in screen — enter your email and we'll send a 6-digit code. No password needed.
- Enter your email and click Send Code
- Check your inbox for the 6-digit code (arrives in seconds)
- Enter the code — you're signed in and stay signed in
Your free trial lasts 7 days — no credit card required to start.
3
Choose your printer & label size
1 minClick Settings in the right panel and tell Printly which printer and label size to use.
- Click the "Settings" tab on the right side of the app
- Under "Printer", choose your thermal printer from the list
- Pick your label size — visual previews show the exact proportions
- Optionally add your seller name or logo under "Branding"
- Click "Save settings"
Not seeing your printer? Make sure it's turned on and connected. The app only lists printers your computer already recognizes.
4
Test it — print a sample label
30 secBefore going live, fire off a test label to confirm everything is connected.
- In the win feed, click "Test Print"
- A sample label prints within a few seconds
- The win feed shows a new entry with a green "Printed" badge
Test labels count against your label quota. Each print = 1 label.
5
Go live on Whatnot — wins print automatically
OngoingYou're all set. Whatnot loads right inside the Printly app — just go live as normal.
- Click the Live tab — Whatnot loads inside the app
- Log in to Whatnot and start your live show
- When a buyer wins, Printly detects it automatically
- A label prints with the buyer's name, item, price, and order number
- Your win feed updates in real time with each new win
Wait for payment mode:By default, Printly prints as soon as a win is detected. Enable "Wait for payment" in Settings to only print after Whatnot confirms payment.
Common issues
Wins aren't printing
Make sure the Printly app is open and you're signed in. Check that a printer is selected in Settings. The win feed will show any errors next to each entry.
My printer isn't in the list
Make sure the printer is powered on and connected to your computer. Try clicking Refresh in Settings. The list comes from your OS — if your computer doesn't see it, Printly won't either.
Mac says "app can't be opened" when launching Printly
Right-click (or Control-click) the Printly app → Open → click Open in the dialog. macOS warns about apps from outside the App Store — this is expected for signed apps.
Labels print but text is very faint or invisible
This is a darkness/contrast setting on the printer itself, not in Printly. Check your printer's utility software and increase the print darkness.
Whatnot is asking me to log in every time
Your Whatnot session is saved automatically. If you're still being asked, make sure you're logging in directly inside the Printly app rather than in a separate browser.
Still stuck? Email us at hello@printlyapp.me and we'll get back to you fast.
Ready to get started?