Using Status Columns to Create Workflows

What is a Status Column?

A status column is used to track the status of an order. DecoGro allows users to customize statuses to track different aspect of an order.

For example, you may choose to keep your workflow as simple as possible by only tracking payment status and a production status that says whether the order is done or not.

Or you may want to have multiple detailed statuses to track different processes in your workflow. You could have one status for tracking whether garments have been ordered or received, one status for your screen room to know if screens have been burned in, and another status for production to track whether the order has been printed.

The possibilities for workflows in DecoGro are endless. You can keep things as simple or as detailed as you want. Our advice is to start out with a very simple workflow, and then only add status columns as they are needed. If you start by adding a ton of workflows and statuses on day one, you may end up overcomplicating your workflows.

What are the Default Status Columns?

When you create your account, there will be three defaults status columns.

• The **Payment Status **column tracks whether an order has been paid for. This is a core features in DecoGro and this column cannot be edited. You can learn more about payment status here.
• The Approval Status columns track whether an order has been approved by the customer. By default, there is one approval column called Artwork and Invoice Approval. Approval is also a core feature in DecoGro, so you can only add and edit approval types in the admin settings. You can learn more about approvals here.
• In the Basic Plan and above, the default setup for has one customizable status column called Status. This column can be completely customized or deleted just like any other status column you create.

How Many Status Columns Can I Have?

• The Free Plan includes a payment status and a an approval status. It does not allow for custom status columns.
• The Basic Plan includes everything in The Free Plan, plus one custom status column.
• The Standard Plan and above includes unlimited custom status columns.

How Do I Customize Status Columns?

You can easily create and customize status columns in minutes to define your workflows. Let’s start by customizing the default status column. To rename the status column, click the drop down arrow, click rename, and then type in the new column name.

To edit the status labels in that column, click inside of the status box, and then click the Edit Labels button. From here you can:

• Add new status labels by clicking the + New Label button
• Rename status labels by clicking on a label name and entering a new name
• Change status label color by clicking the color box next to label name and selecting a new color
• Rearrange labels by dragging and dropping the arrow icon next to the color box By customizing the status labels, you can align your workflow in DecoGro with the actual workflow of your shop. You can put them in order and use color coding to designate when a workflow is complete.

Note that one status label will be designated the “Default” label. All orders start with this label. The default label can be edited, but it cannot be deleted. Even if you reorder your labels, all orders will start with the default label. Some people leave this label blank to show that no status label has been selected.

Let’s run through a couple quick examples of workflows using status labels:

Screen Printing Workflow

For a screen printing shop, most orders go through a similar workflow. After the order has been approved and paid, you need to order the blanks, burn the screens, and print the order. You might set up your statuses like this.

Embroidery Workflow

Most embroidery orders also go through a similar workflow. After the order has been approved and paid, you need to order the blanks, digitize design, and embroider the garments. You might set up your statuses like this.

Each status represents one step of the process. As you complete that step, you can move to the next status by clicking on it. Look at how easy it is to move an order from “Ready for Emb” to “Complete” inside the Orders Table.

You can also change the status of an order from the order overview page.

Those are just a couple simple examples of status workflows, but the possibilities are endless.