Contract templates allow teams to standardize the structure, fields, roles, and signing logic used across all agreements. Templates are reusable blueprints that ensure every document follows the correct layout, branding, permissions, and workflow—without rebuilding content each time.
This article explains how templates work, the types of templates you can create, how roles and fields behave, and what parts of a contract are controlled by the template.
1. What a Contract Template Controls
A contract template defines the reusable foundation of your document:
Content Structure
Editor blocks (text, images, pricing tables, layouts)
Uploaded PDFs with interactive fields
Preconfigured merge fields
Required clauses or legal text
Recipient Logic
Template roles (Signer, Approver, Viewer)
Signing order
Required verification methods
Signing methods (SMS, eID, initials, handwritten signature)
Behavior & Workflow
Field assignments to specific roles
Validation rules (text, dropdown, regex, required fields)
Whether recipients can add personal ID numbers
Which information auto-fills from CRM or sender data
Templates ensure consistent compliance and prevent manual configuration errors in live documents.
2. Types of Contract Templates
Editor-Based Templates
Best for dynamic, editable documents.
Supports:
Editor blocks
Pricing tables
Smart content
Merge tags
Layout flexibility
Inline editing after sending (within block limits for signable documents)
Ideal for proposals & contracts, MSAs, onboarding flows, and frequently updated documents.
PDF-Based Templates
Best for layouts that must not change.
Supports:
PDF field placement
Role assignment
Signatures, dates, dropdowns, checkboxes, link fields, and validated fields
Perfect for formal contracts, regulated documents, official forms, and structured agreements.
Hybrid Templates
Combine editor blocks + PDF uploads to mix flexible and locked content.
3. Template Roles & Permissions
Templates use template roles so documents always require the correct signers or approvers.
Roles define:
Who signs
Who approves internally
Who can only view
What fields each role must complete
What verification is needed (SMS, password, eID)
Which signing method applies
When a user creates a document from a template, they must map real people to template roles—ensuring consistent recipient setup.
4. Interactive Fields in Templates
Templates support two types of interactive fields:
Editor Fields
Used in Editor-based templates:
Text
Dropdown
Checkbox
Email
Date
Signature
Merge fields
Conditional content
PDF Fields
Used in PDF-based templates:
Signature
Name
Company
Sign date
Text / validated text
Initials
Merge field
Link field
Dropdown
Checkbox
All fields can be assigned to template roles and validated according to contract requirements.
5. How Templates Behave in Live Documents
When a document is created from a template:
Content structure is locked to the template.
Template roles must be assigned to real recipients.
Fields and signing order carry over automatically.
Merge fields populate with sender, entity, or CRM data.
Editor-based content may be editable after sending (depending on whether the document is signable).
PDF layouts remain fixed in all live documents.
This ensures consistent legal and operational workflows across every contract.
6. When to Use Contract Templates
Use templates when:
The same contract format is sent repeatedly.
Your team wants to reduce manual errors.
Legal or compliance requires standardized wording.
You want a unified signing process (order, methods, verification).
You need automated personalization via merge tags.
Templates are the most scalable way to manage agreements across Sales, CS, HR, and Operations.
7. Summary
Contract templates ensure:
Consistent content
Controlled recipient workflows
Standardized signing logic
Accurate data capture
Reduced manual setup
Faster document creation
They form the backbone of a reliable, compliant contract process in GetAccept.