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# Setup Stripe Connect Payouts (2026)

This article provides essential information about the Stripe Payouts feature. Stripe Payouts enables you to send payments to your vendors quickly and securely via either Bank Transfer (ACH) or Card payments.

With the Stripe Payout feature, you can easily pay your vendors directly to their bank accounts (ACH transfers) from within the PuppetVendors app.

|| **Merchants should have Standard accounts and vendors should have an Express account**

###### Article Content

1. [How to activate Payouts via Stripe Connect](#6-how-to-activate-payouts-via-stripe-connect)
2. [How to set up in PuppetVendors](#6-how-to-set-up-in-puppetvendors)
3. [Troubleshoot Stripe errors](#6-troubleshooting-stripe-payouts)
4. [FAQs](#6-faqs)
5. [Helpful resources](#6-helpful-resources)

###### How to activate Payouts via Stripe Connect

1. Create a new Stripe Account. [Click Here To Signup For A Stripe Account](https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect). Log in if you have an existing Stripe account.

Before starting the **Stripe Connect Activation** process, please ensure that you are **NOT** on Test mode.  Your view should be similar to the screenshot below.

![Start set-up](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/stripe-start-set-up_1xveklb.png)

2. In the left-hand menu, expand **More** and click **Connect**. On the *Power your platform with Connect* page, click the **Get started** button.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/1-stripe-connect-get-started_i1rhwv.png)


3. When the *Switch to sandbox account?* prompt appears, click **Switch to sandbox**. Stripe requires you to configure Connect in a sandbox before enabling it on your live account.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/2-stripe-connect-switch-to-san_qo3r8w.png =300x147)


4. On the *Connected accounts* screen, click **Select business model**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/3-stripe-connect-select-busine_dxozh6.png =945xauto)


5. In the *Choose your business model* window, select **Platform** (*Merchants will collect payments directly*), then click **Save**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/4-stripe-connect-select-busine_wpfwk1.png =910xauto)


6. Back on the *Connected accounts* screen, click **Create test account**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/5-stripe-connect-create-test-a_lu6b8c.png =935xauto)

7. On the *Create a test connected account* screen, click **Continue**.
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/6-stripe-connect-create-a-test_1tnfa46.png =962xauto)


8. On the *Next, we'll add test data* screen, click **View account**. While you are in the sandbox, Stripe adds sample identity data for you automatically.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/7-stripe-connect-view-test-acc_n3dt3i.png =913xauto)

9. Open the **Setup guide** panel and, under **Test Connect**, confirm that both **Create a test connected account** and **Create a test payment** are marked as complete.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/8-stripe-connect-click-on-crea_1gpre9w.png =591xauto)


10. In the **Setup guide**, skip **Set up subscriptions** and expand **Verify your account**. Your email and business will already be verified, so click **Create your Stripe profile** to continue.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/9-stripe-connect-skip-set-up-s_xv1oik.png =664xauto)


11. When the *To continue, switch to live mode* prompt appears, click **Switch to live mode**. This feature can only be finalised on your live account.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/10-stripe-connect-switch-to-li_kvszew.png =666xauto)

12. Complete any remaining live-mode verification. Follow Stripe's on-screen prompts to finish verifying your account and business details, then continue to your Connect settings.
13. Click the **Settings** (gear) icon in the top-right corner, then, under **Product settings**, click **Connect**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/12-stripe-connect-connect-sett_6l4b95.png =687xauto)


14. In the **Setup guide** under **Verify your account**, click **Create your Stripe profile**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/13-stripe-connect-create-your-_1htq5so.png =686xauto)


15. On the **Connect** settings page, under **Onboard connected accounts**, click **Onboarding interface**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/14-stripe-connect-onboarding-i_k3anuv.png =728xauto)


16. Under **Branding**, click **Customise**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/15-stripe-connect-customise_1y5o0fe.png =758xauto)


17. In the **Brand elements** panel, enter your **Business name**, add your **Icon** and **Logo**, set your brand and accent colours, then click **Save**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/16-stripe-connect-brand-elemen_1uxaywm.png =693xauto)


18. Complete your branding (logo, colors and icons) by following the guide on screen. If you do not see this screen, [click here](https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect/set-up).
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2025-10-03-at-11065_18adk2o.png)
* Navigate to **Onboarding interface**
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2025-10-03-at-11070_vel8xa.png)

* Complete your onboarding experience by filling the form and then clicking save.
![Update your business name, icon, logo and colors](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2024-08-19-at-13135_cdtl73.png)
19. Once branding is complete, you will need to connect **Puppet Vendors** to your **Stripe account** by first fetching your Stripe account API key

![Fetching your Stripe account API key](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2025-10-03-at-11395_lmwfki.png)
20. Copy the live key.
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2025-10-03-at-11431_1eg1j4p.png)
${frame}[Stripe Restricted Key](https://www.loom.com/embed/23164671d71c46bebd4adcf9e0eee337)


|| The live key must be in this format and start with sk_live like so -  **sk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx**

###### How to set up in PuppetVendors

1. Go to **Settings**
2. Then **Payouts**
3. Next click on the **Stripe** tab
4. Enter the **Stripe** **Key**
5. Click **Save**
6. Click on the **Test Connection** button to confirm setup.

![Setting up in PuppetVendors](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/9/b/cf9b185a0b087000/tusa1_1jmnqqo.jpg)

**Stripe Payout Fees**: Stripe Payout fees will vary depending on what country you are based in and if you are doing cross-border transactions. These are Stripe fees, and Puppet Vendors does not control of this nor do we take any cut from this. Visit the [Stripe Payouts pricing page](https://stripe.com/connect/pricing) to understand costs in your country. The pricing page automatically loads your country specific pricing.


|| Additional resources for Stripe Payouts

1. [How to allow Vendors to connect to their existing Stripe Account](https://help.puppetvendors.com/en/article/stripe-payouts-allow-vendors-to-connect-to-existing-stripe-account-1mv2iai/)



###### Troubleshooting Stripe Payouts

1. **Branding Error**

This error is common when testing your Stripe connection. This simply means that you haven't completed your brand settings in your Stripe account.

**How to resolve?**

You can add your account branding by going to your Stripe Connect settings (the branding step above) or going directly to your setting where: [https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect/set-up.](https://dashboard.stripe.com/connect/set-up)

2. **Insufficient funds**

![Insufficient funds error in your payouts dashboard](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2024-11-20-at-21613_14p4qxb.png =400x211)
**How to resolve?**

You can top-up your Stripe balance to be able to make a payout of the pending amount. Go go [top-up your Stripe balance](https://help.puppetvendors.com/en/article/how-to-add-funds-to-your-stripe-balance-for-payouts-b94kaj/) and then [retry the failed payout](https://help.puppetvendors.com/en/article/retry-a-failed-payout-18ttzun/).
Make sure that you stop automatic transfers from Stripe to your bank account as well following the guide below.

**How to Manage or Stop Automatic Transfers:**
* **Change Schedule:** Navigate to **Settings**  **Bank accounts and scheduling** to change automatic payouts from daily to weekly/monthly.
* **Switch to Manual:** In the same settings area, select **Manual** to only transfer funds when you click "Pay out".
* **Update Bank Account:** Ensure your bank account is connected and verified in the **Settings** area to avoid payout failures.


3. **Your destination account needs to have at least one of the following capabilities enabled:**

This is a very common issue you will face if your vendors do not complete their Stripe onboarding process completely and accept the terms.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/cf9b185a0b087000/screenshot-2024-11-20-at-21423_188vbwc.png =500x172)

**How to resolve?**

Request your vendors to complete the **Add your bank account** process completely.

Here's an email message you can share with your vendors:

This error typically indicates that Stripe’s terms and conditions haven’t been fully accepted on your account. To resolve this:

* Log into your portal.
* Navigate to your profile section.
* Select **Update Bank Account**
* Follow the onboarding steps to completion. Completing these steps ensures your account is fully set up to process future payouts without any interruptions.

4. \*\*Link your Bank Account \*\*button not working under the vendor profile

Check your Stripe key format if it follows: *sk\_live\_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx*.  The link should route to Stripe if Stripe payouts are set correctly under **Settings > Payouts > Stripe.**


###### FAQs

1. Do I need to have a balance in my Stripe account to pay my vendors?

Yes, your Stripe balance must have available balance to pay your vendors. Stripe does not automatically withdraw money from your connect credit cards or bank accounts to pay your vendors.

If you are in the U.S, you can instantly fund your Stripe Connect account via your Stripe Connect account.


2. Why do the funds from my Shopify store sale does not show up in my Stripe account?

Shopify operates under a managed Stripe account meaning each Shopify store has their own Stripe account that is managed completely by Shopify. To fund your Stripe Connect account to pay your vendors, you are required to top-up the balance from your bank account and not rely on what Shopify sends you.


3. How does PuppetVendors handle my or my vendor's banking or card information?

PuppetVendors never stores any of your bank or card information. Stripe handles this.



###### Helpful resources

1. Check eligibility on where Stripe is geographically supported for the payouts feature.

[Click Here To Check Eligibility](/en/article/stripe-check-if-you-are-eligible-1iqtkl5/)

|| **Reach out to** [**support@puppetvendors.com**](mailto:suppoer@puppetvendors.com) **or live chat for any assistance.**