To get codes for printed gift cards, create a batch in Gift cards › Batches with a value of 0 and the number of cards you need, then export the codes with Export codes (CSV) and send the file to your printer. The cards have no value until they're sold, so they don't sync to your sales channels or count toward your plan until then.
Before you start
Check your code format in Settings › Gift card rules suits every sales channel you use. For example, Square needs 16 digits with no letters or dashes. Codes can't be changed after they're printed. See Gift card code format and each platform's rules.
Generate the codes
- Go to Gift cards › Batches and click Create batch.
- Choose Generate codes and click Next.
- Enter a Batch name (required) you'll recognise, such as "Printed cards 2026".
- Set Value of each card to 0. The value is added when each card is sold.
- Enter the Number of cards you're ordering.
- Optionally, open Advanced settings to set an Expiry. Leave No expiry date to use your default expiry (if you have one), counted from when each card is sold.
- Click Create batch.
The batch shows Processing and then Completed.
Export the codes
- On Gift cards › Batches, click … next to the batch.
- Click Export codes (CSV).
- Send the downloaded file to your printer, with the barcode instructions in Ordering printed gift cards.
The file has one row per card with Code, InitialValue, TotalIssuedAmount, Balance, Currency, RecipientName, RecipientEmailAddress, Status, IsPromotional and DateIssued. The printer only needs the Code column. Cards with no value yet show the status Inactive in the file and Empty in the dashboard.
What happens to the $0 cards
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| After generating | Each card exists in Wrapped with an Empty status. It isn't in your sales channels, can't be spent and doesn't count toward your gift card allowance. |
| When the card is sold | Staff sell it at the register using its code, or you load it from the dashboard with Issue gift card and the printed code. The value is added, the card becomes active, it's created in every connected sales channel, and it counts toward your allowance in that billing period. |
| Expiry | If you set a batch expiry date, that date applies. Otherwise your default expiry, if you have one, is counted from the day the card is loaded. |
Pre-loaded cards
If the cards should already have value when you hand them out, for example promotional cards for an event, enter that value instead of 0. Each card is then active straight away, created in every sales channel, and counts toward your allowance as soon as the batch is created. Turn on Promotional if they're giveaways.
Common questions
Can I change the codes after they're generated?
No. If the format is wrong, delete the batch before the cards are printed, fix your code format, and generate a new batch.
Should I delete the batch after sending it to the printer?
No. Deleting the batch deletes its cards, and the printed codes would stop working.
What's "Make printable PDF"?
It creates a PDF with one page per card using your gift card PDF design, for printing on paper yourself. It's limited to 500 cards. Plastic card printers use the CSV export instead.
How do staff activate a card at the register?
It depends on your POS. See the selling guide for your sales channel, linked from Using physical gift cards with Wrapped.