Invoice delivery is where the buyer feels the product.
A store can generate perfect invoices and still create friction if the customer has to email support to receive them. The strongest WooCommerce invoice workflow sends the PDF at the right order moment and keeps the same document available later.
This is why Lattice Invoices is positioned around the full EU VAT workflow: collect VAT/BTW data before payment, assign invoice numbers, attach PDFs to emails, expose secure downloads, and create credit notes for refunds.
PDF invoice attachment checklist
Which WooCommerce email should get which document?
Order changes to processing/completed
Paid order email
Invoice PDF
The business buyer gets the tax document immediately after payment instead of opening a support ticket.
Store issues a full or partial refund
Refund email
Credit-note PDF
The refund has its own document trail and points back to the original invoice number.
Customer visits My Account later
Customer account download
Stored invoice link
Repeat B2B buyers can self-serve documents for bookkeeping without asking the store owner.
Manual PDF emails vs. invoice delivery workflow
| Need | Manual workaround | Lattice Invoices path |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment timing | Manually send a PDF after the customer asks | Attach the invoice when the order becomes invoiceable |
| File access | Public uploads URL or inbox attachment only | Private order/customer-linked download |
| Missing VAT data | Customer replies with VAT number after payment | VAT/BTW fields are captured before the invoice is generated |
| Refunds | Manual negative invoice or accounting note | Refund email gets a credit note tied to the original invoice |
| Support load | Customers ask for invoices repeatedly | Invoices are attached once and downloadable later |
FAQ
Which WooCommerce emails should include invoice PDFs?
Most stores attach invoice PDFs to processing or completed order emails. Refund emails should use a credit note instead of editing the original invoice. The exact trigger should match when the store considers an order invoiceable.
Should PDF invoices be stored in public uploads?
No. Invoice PDFs can include billing addresses, VAT numbers, and order totals. They should be private and only available to the order owner, store admins, and explicit email recipients.
Do invoice email attachments replace My Account downloads?
No. Email attachments solve the immediate delivery problem, while My Account downloads reduce future support emails when a customer loses the original message.
How does this connect to Lattice Invoices?
Lattice Invoices is being shaped around the full delivery workflow: checkout VAT/BTW fields, invoice numbers, PDF email attachments, customer downloads, and refund-linked credit notes.