How do I send contracts by email?

Use an e-signature platform that sends contracts via secure email links (not raw PDF attachments). Recipients click the link, sign in their browser, and you receive the executed copy with audit trail. Sending raw PDFs is insecure and harder to track.

Sending contracts as raw email attachments is a bad practice — no signature workflow, no audit trail, no version control, no security. The right way:

Recommended workflow (using iContract / DocuSign / similar): 1. Upload your contract. 2. Add recipient email + signature field. 3. Add a personal message ('Hi Sarah, here's the agreement we discussed.'). 4. Set expiration (3-7 days reasonable). 5. Click send — recipient gets a branded email with a 'Sign Document' button. 6. They click → opens in browser → sign → submit. 7. You receive notification + final PDF + audit trail.

  • Tracking: see when opened, viewed, signed.
  • Security: link expires; no PDF floating around.
  • Audit trail: legally admissible (IP, timestamp, signer email).
  • Mobile-friendly: signs on any device.
  • Reminders: automatic if not signed in 48 hours.
  • Version control: only the final signed copy exists.
  • No printing: signer doesn't need to print/scan/email back.
  • Use a digital signature (Adobe Acrobat 'Sign with Digital ID') — provides cryptographic proof.
  • Send via encrypted email if confidential.
  • Request signed copy back as PDF.
  • Save audit trail manually (delivery receipts, read receipts).
  • 'Action Required: Sign [Contract Name]'
  • '[Your Name] sent you [Contract Name] for signature'
  • 'Quick e-signature needed for [Project]'

Best send times: Tuesday-Thursday, 9-11am recipient's time. Avoid Friday afternoons and weekends.

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