Prerequisite: Configure Label Templates with QR codes before generating Metrc Retail IDs. See Metrc: Applying Retail IDs to QR Codes for more information.
From an Order
Generating Retail IDs within the order fulfillment process is the recommended workflow to ensure the Retail ID is correctly linked to the specific Metrc package tag that will be manifested and sent to the retailer.
Note: Before generating Metrc Retail IDs, the order must be:
Sub-lotted/Converted/Packed: All units must be assigned to their final package tag.
Ready to Label Stage: The order must be advanced to the Ready to Label stage.
Completing these steps ensures that the generated Retail IDs for those units will be directly linked to the specific Metrc package tag that will ultimately be sent to the Retailer on that order.
1. Click Package/Repackage and Fill all Items to convert and pack the order
2. When the order is in the Ready to Label stage, click Print
3. In the print dialog, confirm the #toPrint for each line item
Note: This number will automatically populate as the Qty Packed for each line item, but it should be verified, as this is the number of Metrc Retail IDs that will be generated for each package.
4. Select a retail type label that has been pre-configured with the Metrc Retail ID QR Code setting for all line items that you wish to generate Retail IDs for.
Notes:
If you are generating Retail IDs for all line items on the order, select the Retail ID label under Update All Label Templates.
The Generate Retail ID button will appear once a label template with Metrc Retail ID configured has been selected.
5. Click Generate Retail ID
Note: A confirmation message, "Metrc RetailID is generated!", will appear upon completion.
6. Click Print
7. The PDF Print Preview will display a preview equal to the number of labels entered in step 3. Each label will contain a QR code that is linked to a unique Metrc Retail ID. You can scan any QR code to confirm before printing your physical labels.
8. Click Print in the PDF Print Preview to initiate printing your physical labels
From Inventory
You can generate and print Metrc Retail ID labels from your Inventory Overview for your retail-ready packages before you start the order fulfillment process. This is a great way to pre-label products with unique Retail IDs.
Testing Requirement
Retail IDs can only be generated for inventory that has passed all required testing.
Best Practice
Pre-label inventory if you are certain the current package tag is the one that will be physically transferred to the retailer. See Important Considerations below for more information.
1. Navigate to the Inventory Overview and select the specific lpackages for which you wish to pre-label.
2. Click Print
3. In the #toPrint column, enter the exact number of units you are printing for each package. Entering this number tells the system how many unique Retail IDs it needs to generate.
4. Select an inventory type label that has been pre-configured with the Metrc Retail ID QR Code setting for all line items that you wish to generate Retail IDs for.
Notes:
If you are generating Retail IDs for all selected packages, select the Retail ID label under Update All Label Templates.
The Generate Retail ID button will appear once a label template with Metrc Retail ID configured has been selected.
5. Click Generate Retail ID
Note: A confirmation message, "Metrc RetailID is generated!", will appear upon completion.
6. Click Print
7. The PDF Print Preview will display a preview equal to the number of labels entered in step 3. Each label will contain a QR code that is linked to a unique Metrc Retail ID. You can scan any QR code to confirm before printing your physical labels.
8. Click Print in the PDF Print Preview to initiate printing your physical labels.
Associating Retail IDs when using Sublot or Convert to pack an order
If you've pre-labeled a package with Retail IDs and later split it into smaller child packages (sub-lot) or pack an order from it, GrowFlow can move the specific QR codes for the units leaving the parent onto the new child package — instead of generating brand-new Retail IDs. This keeps the physical stickers already on those units valid, no relabeling, and doesn't use up any more of your Retail ID allotment.
This workflow currently applies to New York only — if you don't see the option below, either it's not turned on for your account or your jurisdiction doesn't require it. Contact GrowFlow support if you're unsure.
Before you use the Associate Retail ID workflow, confirm:
The parent package already has Retail IDs generated. If it doesn't, generate those first from Inventory or order — there's nothing to move otherwise.
The child package keeps the same product/item as the parent. This only works for a true sub-lot — if you're converting to a different item, you'll need to generate new Retail IDs as Finished Goods instead.
The Associate Retail ID step lives inside the existing Confirm Tags modal that already appears when sublotting/packing an order.
1. In the Confirm Tags window, check the Associate Retail ID box.
2. The window expands to show one section per child package. Each has a QR scan field and a live Qty Scanned counter.
Scan each unit's Retail ID QR code, a USB scanner or typed entry both work, until Qty Scanned matches the requested quantity for that package. If you're creating multiple child packages in the same action, each one's scans are tracked separately.
3. Click Confirm.
GrowFlow creates the new package(s) in Metrc and associates the scanned codes to them in the same step.
What can go wrong:
The Associate Retail ID checkbox doesn't appear on the Confirm Tags window. | Associate Retail ID isn't enabled for your license/jurisdiction. |
Confirm stays disabled even after scanning. | Every child package's Qty Scanned must exactly match its requested quantity. Finish scanning, or uncheck Associate Retail ID to fall back to the standard flow. |
A scanned code is rejected. | The code either doesn't belong to this parent package or was already scanned (for this package or another one in the same action). Confirm you're scanning the correct physical unit. |
There's nothing to associate. | The parent needs Retail IDs already generated before you split it — generate those first, then retry. |
You're converting to a different product, and Associate Retail ID isn't behaving as expected. | Associate only works when the child keeps the same product/item as the parent. A true conversion needs new Retail IDs generated as Finished Goods. |
Important Considerations
Package Tag Linkage
Metrc’s recommended workflow is to generate Retail IDs for the specific package tags confirmed for transfer to the retailer.
In GrowFlow, you may pre-label inventory intended for sub-lotting as long as the QA results remain the same. Note that because the Retail ID is generated using the current package tag, the physical QR code will continue to reference that original 'parent' tag even after sub-lotting occurs.
Sub-lotting and Fulfillment
If you pre-label a parent package and later sub-lot that inventory into new child package tags during order fulfillment:
Scanning the original Retail ID QR code will not automatically reference the new sub-lotted package tag.
If your account has Associate Retail ID enabled, see Associating Retail IDs when using Sub-lot or Convert to pack an order. You can move the relevant QR codes to the child package directly in GrowFlow instead of generating new ones.
POS Compatibility
GrowFlow Wholesale allows for pre-labeling to provide flexibility, and GrowFlow Retail is designed to support this workflow during intake and checkout. However, if your retail customers use a POS system other than GrowFlow Retail, we cannot guarantee their system will recognize or accept a "parent" Retail ID for a sub-lotted "child" package.