What is a template?
Learn what a template is, how it differs from an envelope, and when it saves you time.
A template is a company-scoped, reusable envelope blueprint. It stores everything you would otherwise set up by hand each time you send the same kind of document — the documents themselves, the signer roles, a default email message, and the signature and data fields placed on the page.
When you need to send that document, you start a new envelope from the template, fill in the real recipient names and emails, and send. The template stays untouched and ready for the next time.
What a template contains
- Documents — one or more files (Word documents are converted to PDF automatically).
- Signer roles — the roles that will sign, such as "Client" or "Manager", without real people attached yet.
- A default email message — the message recipients see when the envelope is sent.
- Fields — signature, initials, date, text, and other fields placed on the documents.
Templates are shared at the company level, so a template you create can be made available to your teammates. See Share a template.
Template vs. envelope
An envelope is a single, live signature request sent to specific people. A template is the reusable pattern you create envelopes from — it is never sent on its own.
If you send the same contract, NDA, or onboarding pack repeatedly, turn it into a template once. Every future send becomes a matter of typing in names and emails.
Templates are a paid feature. If your plan does not include them, you will see an Upgrade tag on the Templates page. The blueprint is enforced on the server, so upgrading unlocks it for your whole company.