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Creating Templates

Building a template takes around 10–15 minutes the first time. After that, sending the same agreement is just a matter of filling in names.

Step 1: Start a New Template​

  1. Go to Sign > Templates.
  2. Click Create Template.
  3. Give it a descriptive name, something that makes it easy to find later, like "Vendor NDA" or "New Hire Offer Letter".
  4. Add a short description (optional, but helpful for your team).
The Templates library showing existing templates and the New Template button

Step 2: Upload Your Document​

Upload the PDF or document you want recipients to sign. Propper supports PDF, DOCX, and other common formats.

Document upload area showing supported formats and 35 MB file size limit

If you get an upload error:

  • File too large, Compress the PDF or split it into multiple files.
  • Invalid format, Check that the file isn't corrupted. Password-protected PDFs need to have protection removed before uploading.

Step 3: Add Recipient Roles​

Roles are placeholders for the real people you'll fill in when you send. You define who needs to act and in what order.

  1. Click Add Recipient.
  2. Enter a role name that describes the person's function, for example, "Hiring Manager" or "New Employee". Avoid generic names like "Signer 1".
  3. Choose the role type:
    • Signer, must complete their assigned fields before the agreement can finalize.
    • Receives a Copy, gets the completed document by email; no action needed from them.
  4. Set a routing order number to control when each person is invited:
    • Different numbers (1, 2, 3) mean people sign one after another.
    • The same number means people are invited at the same time.
  5. Repeat for everyone who needs to be involved.

→ See Recipient Roles for common workflow patterns and examples.

Recipients section with the Add Recipient button

Step 4: Place Tags​

Tags are the fields that recipients interact with, where they sign, type their name, check a box, and so on.

  1. Choose a tag type from the left panel.
  2. Drag it onto the document and drop it where you want it.
  3. With the tag selected, set Assigned To to the recipient role who should complete it.
  4. Mark it as required or optional.
  5. Repeat for every field you need.

Each recipient only sees and interacts with the tags assigned to their role.

→ See Tag Types for the full list of available tags and their options.

Tag panel showing available field types grouped by category: Signature, Auto-filled, Text and Structured, and Choice

Step 5: Configure Settings (Optional)​

Click Settings to adjust how recipients authenticate and what the invitation email says.

  • Authentication, choose how each recipient verifies their identity (email code, SMS, access code, or identity provider). → See Identity Verification.
  • Email message, customize the subject line and body of the invitation email recipients receive.
Recipient form showing authentication method options: Access code, Email verification, SMS verification

Step 6: Save and Test​

  1. Review your tag placements across all pages.
  2. Click Save Template.

Before using the template with real recipients, send a test agreement to yourself:

  1. Open the template and click Use Template.
  2. Assign your own email address to every role.
  3. Complete the full signing flow as each recipient would.
  4. Check that the final document looks right and that the audit record was created.

This catches any placement issues or routing problems before they affect someone else.

Next Steps​