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Can I Accept POs on My TPT Store or My Own Website?

Purchase Orders for Teacher-Authors: TPT Store vs. Your Website

If you’re a teacher-author selling high-value, large resources, the question of how to accept purchase orders (POs) from schools inevitably comes up.

Many schools want to pay via POs or make tax-exempt credit card purchases to get their educators the tools they need to be successful in the classroom.

Understanding the difference between what’s possible on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) versus selling directly on your own website is key to maximizing sales while staying compliant with TPT policies.

This guide explains your options, clarifies the PO process on TPT, and provides strategies for accepting POs on your own site.

TPT Purchase Orders

  • Requires sending a school PO and TPT-generated quote

  • Limited licensing flexibility

  • Less custom pricing

Direct Website POs

  • Full control of pricing, licensing, and delivery

  • Flexible license terms for schools

  • Ability to streamline documents and acceptance

How Purchase Orders Work on TPT

TPT allows schools to buy resources via purchase orders, but the process is more limited than direct sales through your own website. According to TPT’s Purchase Orders Help article, schools can submit a PO to TPT for a product, and TPT will process the order. Here’s how it typically works:

  1. Add resources to cart and select the Purchase Order payment method. These is an order minumum for POs on TPT.

  2. Next, generate a quote when prompted by TPT’s system and use the quote to create a school-generated PO.

  3. Email or fax signed purchase order, the original quote generated by TPT, and proof of tax-exempt status (if applicable).

  4. Once approved, TPT will confirm processing of the PO and an invoice will be sent to the purchaser.

While this process is helpful for smaller orders or individual classroom resources, it does have limitations:

  • Limited licensing flexibility – TPT uses mostly one-teacher, one-purchase, non-transferable licenses. Schools can’t reassign licenses easily if staff changes occur.

  • Administrative hurdles – Schools may need multiple sign-offs or internal approval forms that TPT can’t provide directly.

  • Bulk orders – Large-scale or multi-classroom orders may be cumbersome, as TPT doesn’t allow customized pricing tiers beyond what is built into the marketplace.

  • Tax-exempt verification – Some schools find TPT’s tax-exempt process confusing or restrictive, potentially delaying purchases.

Tip for authors: TPT is excellent for serving individual teachers or smaller classroom purchases, and is likely the cornerstone of your business. But for larger school or district orders, consider adding a direct sales option if you are getting regular inquiries from schools or teachers asking if you offer your resources anywhere other than the TPT marketplace.

Why Schools Sometimes Avoid Using TPT for POs

Even with TPT’s PO and tax-exempt processes, schools don’t always purchase through the marketplace. There are several reasons for this:

  • District or school policies may require approved vendors or multiple levels of sign-off

  • Licensing confusion means schools don’t feel confident using school funds to make purchases on the TPT marketplace

  • School restrictions may prevent educators from purchasing from a marketplace, but independent vendors may have an easier time being approved by their business department

  • Custom or bulk requests such as custom bundles, cross-grade sets, or professional development sessions often are better suited to prompt back-and-forth communication

For a deeper dive into these challenges, see 10 Reasons Why Some Schools Can’t or Won’t Buy on TPT.

Accepting POs on Your Own Website

Selling directly to schools allows you to handle purchase orders more flexibly. You can design a system that meets the needs of both schools and your business:

  • Flexible licensing - Offer transferable school-managed licenses, site licenses, or membership options. Read more about license options to decide which make sense for your business: Licensing Options

  • Custom pricing and volume discounts - Schools buying multiple licenses can receive quotes tailored to their size and budget. Tiered discounts for multiple licenses are also possible when providing custom quotes off-marketplace.

  • Direct PO submission - Schools can send you a PO directly, bypassing marketplace restrictions. You can then issue a professional invoice with crystal-clear license language and download instructions.

  • Tax-exempt purchases - Collect tax-exempt certificates (if applicable) directly and ensure compliance while simplifying the process for the school.

How to Accept School Purchase Orders provides templates and guidance for creating a smooth PO process on your website.

Step-by-Step: Handling POs on Your Own Website

Here’s a simple workflow for accepting POs from schools:

  1. Collect school information - Name, district, grade levels, number of teachers, license type needed, and tax-exempt status (if applicable).

  2. Generate a quote - Include the resource(s), quantity, total cost, tax (or tax-exempt), and licensing terms.

  3. Receive the purchase order - Schools submit their PO via email or a form on your site.

  4. Deliver the resource - Email a link, provide downloadable files, or grant site access as needed.

  5. Invoice - Send a clear invoice including license details, expiration, and authorized users.

This workflow mirrors how schools already purchase from traditional vendors, which reduces back-and-forth, prevents payment delays, and makes your resources easier for districts to approve.

Need templates for quotes, invoices, estimate request forms, and more? The Sell to Schools Toolkit has you covered with everything you need to get started!

Integrating POs Into Your TPT Strategy

Direct school sales are not a replacement for your TPT store. They complement it by targeting orders that the marketplace alone may struggle to accommodate.

Even if you sell directly, TPT still has value:

  • Individual teacher sales - Automated checkout, exposure to a large audience, and built-in marketplace traffic

  • Marketing hub - Your TPT store can highlight spotlight resources and organically lead teachers to your website or email list for school-wide or bulk purchasing

Clearly distinguish individual teacher purchases on TPT from direct school sales on your website. Use your website, email, and social media to explain the licensing options and PO-friendly workflow without violating TPT rules. Remember not to direct TPT traffic away from TPT - once they’re on TPT you want to close the TPT marketplace sale!

FAQs: How does the Purchase Order Process Work on TPT vs. Your Own Website

Can I sell large bundles on TPT via POs?
Yes, but you may be limited in pricing flexibility and licensing options. For custom bundles or multiple licenses, direct sales often make more sense.

Do schools always need a PO to buy from TPT?
No. Some schools pay by tax-exempt credit card or personal card, but larger or initial purchases may require a PO. Direct contact with TPT support is required to set up each tax-exempt school account to review their best checkout experience.

Can I combine TPT and direct sales?
Absolutely. Many teacher-authors use TPT for individual teacher sales and their own website for direct school or district orders. Expansion to an automated storefront on your website

Next Steps

  • Decide which resources are suited for direct school purchases

  • Add information about licensing options, including individual, school-managed, or site licenses on your website

  • Include a Quote Request Form so schools know how to let you know they’re interested in your resources

  • Create a simple PO submission workflow on your website

  • Link to supporting resources like Tax-Exempt Orders and licensing guides to make the process easy for administrators

By offering both TPT and direct website sales, you can maximize revenue while meeting schools where they are. Simplifying purchase orders, handling tax exemptions, and providing flexible licensing that fits real-world classroom needs offers real value to schools.

Need more information about how to sell directly to schools? Visit the complete information hub: School Purchase Orders for Teacher-Authors

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and reflects general practices used by teacher-authors and schools. Teachers Pay Teachers policies and procedures may change. Always review TPT’s official help documentation or contact their support team for the most current guidance.