Stocksmith FAQ
Read answers to some frequently asked questions
Whether you're a seasoned user or new to the program, you will have some questions. Here are some questions we see frequently.
Don't see your question here? Contact our support team, and we'll be happy to help!
We'll Cover:
- What is the pricing for Stocksmith?
- Can I try Stocksmith before subscribing?
- Is Stocksmith suitable for businesses with multiple locations or warehouses?
- Will Stocksmith work for me if I'm not in the US, or are there any limitations I should consider when using it in other countries?
- I don't make my own products; will Stocksmith work for me?
- Does Stocksmith offer barcode scanning?
- Does Stocksmith generate nutrition labels?
- Can I use Stocksmith for resale products?
- Do products I create in Shopify appear in Stocksmith automatically?
- Does Stocksmith have a mobile app, or is it available in the App Store?
- Does Stocksmith work on Apple devices?
- What do I need to run Stocksmith?
- Does Stocksmith replace accounting software?
- Can I issue invoices to my customers?
- Is there an offline version of Stocksmith available to download?
- Do I need an Etsy store to use Stocksmith?
- How often does Stocksmith automatically pull from my integrations?
- Can I export my data from Stocksmith?
- Is my data secure?
- How does Stocksmith ensure the privacy and ownership of my data?
- How does Stocksmith handle data backups and provide export options?
- How does Stocksmith ensure physical server security?
- How does Stocksmith handle data encryption and security?
- How does Stocksmith handle billing and payment data security?
- How many Admin users with full access are allowed in Stocksmith?
- Can users request specific features or improvements?
- Does Stocksmith work internationally?
- Is Stocksmith GAAP compliant?
- How can I join and benefit from the Stocksmith affiliate program?
- Does Stocksmith offer payroll features?
- Can I generate a CPSR or PIF report using Stocksmith?
- How can I create a shortcut icon on my iPad?
- Can I use Stocksmith for more than one business?
- How do I unsubscribe from the mailing list?
- What are the current supported languages?
- Do you offer consultancy or training services?
- Who can I hire to fix my data or inventory issues?
- Can I access the suggestion board to submit feature ideas?
- Do you offer live demos?
- Are there video tutorials or training videos?
- How do I handle products that I dropship?
- How are record codes generated, and can I make them sequential?
- How do I change my email address?
- Can Stocksmith support my specific business workflow or inventory needs?
- Can I change the logo in the app's top-left corner?
- Can I hide the chat widget from my team members?
What is the pricing for Stocksmith?
We offer several pricing plans based on the size of your business and the features you need. You can find detailed information about our pricing plans here: Stocksmith plans.
Can I try Stocksmith before subscribing?
Yes, a free trial period lets you explore the app's features and see if it meets your business needs before committing to a subscription plan.
Is Stocksmith suitable for businesses with multiple locations or warehouses?
Yes, the app supports businesses with multiple locations or warehouses by allowing you to track inventory levels and movements across different facilities. You can transfer stock between locations and manage stock centrally. Find additional information for this feature in this article — About locations and more details about plan eligibility here in our plan list.
Will Stocksmith work for me if I'm not in the US, or are there any limitations I should consider when using it in other countries?
Yes, we work for any manufacturing business, no matter where you are located. Many tax systems use very similar calculations for Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Inventory value at the end of the year due to GAAP, so it's highly likely that our calculations will also be applicable.
I don't make my own products; will Stocksmith work for me?
Although the app is designed to cater to businesses that directly manufacture and sell DTC products, if you don't make your own products, you may find that our software can still work for you.
How do I create a resale product?
Does Stocksmith offer barcode scanning?
We don't currently offer barcode scanning. Stocksmith uses QR codes instead, which you can scan with a smartphone to pull up product or material details straight away. Read more in Stocksmith QR codes. Barcode support is under consideration for a future update, but isn't available yet.
Does Stocksmith generate nutrition labels?
No, the app does not generate nutrition labels. Our platform is designed for inventory, manufacturing, and expense tracking rather than nutrition labeling.
Can I use Stocksmith for resale products?
Yes, you can use the app for resale products. It is designed to manage both manufactured and resale products, allowing you to keep track of your inventory, costs, and sales efficiently. You can learn more about it here: About resale products.
Does Stocksmith update my stock levels in Shopify, Etsy, and my other sales channels?
Yes. Once Stock Push is set up, Stocksmith can update your stock in Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Square, and Faire, so you don't need to track quantity in Shopify or your other sales channels by hand. Stock Push changes your inventory on your sales channels either when you review and send updates yourself, or automatically on a schedule once you turn on Auto-Push.
Stock Push is available in the following plans:
✗ Pro✗ Studio✓ Indie✓ Business✓ Growth
Auto-Push, which sends updates automatically instead of you triggering them, is available in the following plans:
✗ Pro✗ Studio✗ Indie✓ Business✓ Growth
See About Stock Push and About Auto-Push for the full details.
Do products I create in Shopify appear in Stocksmith automatically?
Yes. When you connect your Shopify integration, every product from your Shopify store is pulled and created as a product in your account automatically, regardless of when it was created. You don't need to create them manually.
Product creation is automatic, but starting inventory quantities and costs aren't pulled across the same way. You'll set those separately once the product lands in Stocksmith.
Does Stocksmith have a mobile app, or is it available in the App Store?
There's no app to search for or download, not in the App Store, Google Play, or anywhere else, because there's nothing to install. Stocksmith is entirely web-based, so the full site works on phones, tablets, and desktop computers, with every feature available wherever you sign in.
If you'd like faster access from your home screen, you can add a shortcut icon instead of an installed app.
Does Stocksmith work on Apple devices?
Yes! The platform is a web-based application, which means it works on any device—including Apple products like MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones—as long as you're using a modern, up-to-date web browser such as Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
There's no need to download or install anything—just log in from your browser at stocksmith.com and you're ready to go!
What do I need to run Stocksmith?
Stocksmith is entirely web-based, so all you need is a modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, or iOS. It works on desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone, with nothing to download or install.
Does Stocksmith replace accounting software?
The app is an inventory and manufacturing system for small manufacturers. It's important to note that we aren't designed as a replacement for accounting software and typically should be used in conjunction with an accounting package (like QuickBooks or Xero)
It is recommended that you seek the advice and guidance of a financial expert before using calculations directly from the app to prepare tax or financial reports, as requirements differ from country to country.
Can I issue invoices to my customers?
Yes. Stocksmith generates printable, formatted invoices straight from your orders, and you can customise them with your business name, address, logo, payment terms, and notes. See About invoicing for how to set this up.
Not being accounting software doesn't mean Stocksmith can't invoice your customers. It just means Stocksmith isn't built to replace bookkeeping, payroll, or tax software. One thing to keep in mind: your COGS is calculated from the order, not the invoice, so if you invoice through another system, like a spreadsheet, you'll still need to record the sale as an order in Stocksmith to track it.
Is there an offline version of Stocksmith available to download?
At this time, we do not have an offline or downloadable version. The platform is designed as an online solution, so you can access it anywhere with an internet connection, including your smartphone and tablet device.
The app uses 256-bit security, so your data is secure when accessed and backed up on a regular basis,, so you don't have to worry about losing any of it.
Another advantage to being completely online is that we can always improve our range of features—which we do regularly. If you have an idea or suggestion for an improvement, please get in touch!
Do I need an Etsy store to use Stocksmith?
Not at all! The app is designed for use by any maker regardless of where they sell. Using one of our available integrations will allow you to pull your orders and products automatically; however, you also have the option of entering all information manually if need be.
How often does Stocksmith automatically pull from my integrations?
The app automatically pulls either on a daily or hourly basis, depending on your subscription plan.
Can I export my data from Stocksmith?
Yes, you can export your data, including inventory, sales, and reports, to CSV files. This is useful for backup purposes or further analysis in other software.
Is my data secure?
The platform is a web-based application, which means that your data is entirely "in the cloud." Being web-based offers the most flexibility in terms of you accessing your data anywhere and allows us to improve the features that we offer continuously, but it does not mean that you don't have your data sitting directly on your own machine.
How does Stocksmith ensure the privacy and ownership of my data?
No data entered by you is shared with any third party—not now, not ever. We are an entirely independent company with no outside affiliations, and we fully intend to stay this way. We have a small, trusted support team with only minimal access to account data—we will only view your data if you give us the express permission to do so and only the data we need to help with your issue.
How does Stocksmith handle data backups and provide export options?
All data is stored in multiple locations for failover, allowing us to swap systems in the event of an outage. Backups are taken on an hourly basis and stored off-site. We also have CSV exports available for almost all of the data that you enter into the app. These exports are all in a format that is readable by most popular spreadsheet programs, so these files can be downloaded and used as an Excel backup as often as you like to provide you with further peace of mind.
How does Stocksmith ensure physical server security?
We utilize SAS70 Type II and SSAE16-certified facilities, which are protected by round-the-clock surveillance monitoring and biometric locks.
How does Stocksmith handle data encryption and security?
All data in transit between you and us is encrypted and sent using HTTPS. Account passwords are encrypted and not stored in plain text. All data kept in our databases is encrypted at rest, including backups, which are also stored in an encrypted file server offsite.
How does Stocksmith handle billing and payment data security?
We do not store payment details—these are handled by our payment providers (Stripe and PayPal), which both offer fully PCI-compliant systems.
How many Admin users with full access are allowed in Stocksmith?
Only one Admin user can have full access to view and use all platform areas. Typically, this is the user account under which the account was originally created.
Can users request specific features or improvements?
Absolutely, we'd be happy to hear any suggestions or feedback! We're always working to improve the app. Feel free to contact us!
Does Stocksmith work internationally?
Although the app was designed for the specific needs of US users, many businesses from different countries use our software. Many tax systems use very similar calculations for Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Inventory value at the end of the year, so it's quite possible that our calculations will also be applicable to the system your country uses.
The app is available for international use, but we suggest consulting with a bookkeeper or accountant to ensure that this is the right choice before using our system for tax reporting. Don't hesitate to contact us if you or your adviser have any questions, and we'll be more than happy to help.
Is Stocksmith GAAP compliant?
GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) is a collection of commonly followed accounting rules and standards for financial reporting.
The app is a perpetual inventory tracking application that uses industry-standard GAAP calculations for inventory and COGS. More information about our calculations can be found here: How does Stocksmith calculate my COGS?
How can I join and benefit from the Stocksmith affiliate program?
Join our affiliate program and start earning today! Simply sign up using the link below:
Stocksmith Affiliate Program Signup Once you've completed the form, our team will review your application. We'll provide you with login credentials to access your affiliate dashboard upon approval. Here, you'll find your unique affiliate links and marketing resources.
For each new subscriber you refer using your affiliate URL, you'll earn a percentage of the subscription plan price for the first 12 months that the referee remains a subscriber. Be sure to check out the Stocksmith Affiliate Agreement for full terms and conditions.
Start earning commissions today by promoting the app!
Does Stocksmith offer payroll features?
At this time, we do not offer any payroll features. We may support this feature in the future, so please get in touch, and we'll add you to our contact list for updates.
Can I generate a CPSR or PIF report using Stocksmith?
The app does not currently generate CPSRs (Cosmetic Product Safety Reports) or PIFs (Product Information Files) automatically. However, you can use the app to collect and organize the required data such as batch records, material compositions, and manufacturing logs that may help you compile these reports externally.
How can I create a shortcut icon on my iPad?
Yes, you can create a shortcut icon on your iPad by following the steps outlined here: How can I create a shortcut icon on my iPad?
Can I use Stocksmith for more than one business?
Using the app for multiple businesses is going to depend on your particular situation.
If you file only one tax return for your businesses -- for example, maybe you have multiple Etsy shops set up selling from the same inventory and just using different names. Come tax time, you file using just one return for all of it. This is a situation where it is okay to use the app for your businesses.
If you file multiple tax returns for the businesses in question, you may not want to use one account for all of them. The app does all of its reporting for one entity only.
The exception to this would be if you are only using the app to keep track of your inventory, and don't use it at all for your taxes or reporting.
How do I unsubscribe from the mailing list?
If you no longer want to receive emails, you can unsubscribe by following these steps:
- Open any email you've received from us.
- Scroll to the bottom of the email.
- Click the "Unsubscribe" link.
- Confirm your request if prompted.
After unsubscribing, you'll stop receiving emails from that specific mailing list.
What are the current supported languages?
The app is currently available in English only. However, you can use your web browser's built-in translation tools to view the site in other language versions. Most browsers (such as Chrome or Edge) offer a translation feature, like Google Translate, that automatically translates pages into your preferred language.
Please note that while this can be helpful, translations are automated and may not always reflect the intended meaning perfectly.
Do you offer consultancy or training services?
Who can I hire to fix my inventory issues?
Our support team is here to help you troubleshoot your inventory issues and guide you on the steps to get your stock back in line. Please get in touch with our team who can take a look at your account with you and get you started.
Can I access the suggestion board to submit feature ideas?
Our Suggestion board is an internal tool we use to keep track of feature requests and development updates. While it's not visible to users, you're always welcome to share your suggestions directly with our team - we'd love to hear them! You can also stay updated on new features and improvements here: Stocksmith Updates.
How can I access help articles directly from the platform?
You can access all of our help articles directly from within the app by using the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Just click the widget and choose "Search our knowledge base" to browse and read support articles without leaving the platform.
Do you offer live demos?
We currently don't offer a live demo, but you're welcome to get in touch with the team to discuss options.
Are there video tutorials or training videos?
Yes. Stocksmith Video Tutorials covers the core workflows: adding a material, product, recipe, manufacture, order, component, material purchase and variation. It also includes a couple of troubleshooting videos, including one on why an order's material cost shows as zero.
How do I handle products that I dropship?
Dropshipped items aren't physically held in your inventory, so you can either consider excluding these and tracking revenue and COGS separately, or you can consider tracking them as resale products in the app. You'll need to ensure that you also record the purchase of the dropshipped item from your supplier for each order - either manually or by using our CSV importer.
How are record codes generated, and can I make them sequential?
Stocksmith automatically assigns a code to every purchase, order, manufacture, material, product, stocktake, transfer, and location when you create it.
These codes are randomly generated, not sequential. There's no setting to switch them to incrementing numbers.
You can edit any code by hand if you'd rather use your own numbering scheme; just type over the generated value in the code field before saving. Leaving the field blank when you create a record lets Stocksmith assign one for you, as described in How to add an Order.
How do I change my email address?
Go to Users, click the ⋮ menu next to the user, and select Edit. Update the Email address field, then save.
This changes both the email you use to log in and the address that receives Stocksmith's system emails.
This is different from your billing email address, which is used for invoices and receipts. Updating that is covered separately in Manage your subscription.
Can Stocksmith support my specific business workflow or inventory needs?
Stocksmith supports a wide range of inventory and manufacturing workflows, but the best setup can depend on the specific details of your business, such as your products, vendors, production process, purchasing timelines, and inventory needs.
For complex or highly specific business scenarios, we recommend contacting our Support team so we can better understand your workflow and advise whether Stocksmith can support your needs and how you could set it up.
If you're unsure which plan is the best fit, our team can also provide guidance on plan options and features. You can also start a free trial to explore Stocksmith and see how it works with your workflow before subscribing.
Can I change the logo in the app's top-left corner?
No. The logo in the top-left header is part of Stocksmith's interface and can't be replaced with your own branding, on any plan.
If you're looking to add your own branding, that's supported on your invoices and packing slips. Upload a logo under Settings > Invoice Settings. See Adding a business logo to your invoices. That logo appears on your invoices and packing slips only, not in the app header.
Can I hide the chat widget from my team members?
No. The chat widget in the bottom-right corner, used for contacting support and searching the knowledge base, loads for every signed-in user on every page. There's no account setting or per-user setting to turn it off for specific team members.