What is an envelope in DocuSign?

An envelope in DocuSign serves as a container that holds the documents that require signatures from the designated recipients. This term is pivotal in understanding how the DocuSign platform organizes and manages the signing process. When you create an envelope, you can include multiple documents, specify the order in which they should be signed, add recipient roles, and set up any necessary authentication methods.

Using the envelope helps streamline the signing process by grouping all related documents and action items into a single, manageable unit. This makes it easier for both the sender and the recipients to track and complete the signing tasks efficiently, ensuring that everyone involved knows exactly what is required of them and when.

While templates are useful for creating documents and notifications are important for keeping recipients informed, they do not encapsulate the broader concept of what an envelope represents in the context of document management and e-signatures. Additionally, defining an envelope simply as a file format does not reflect its comprehensive role in facilitating the signing workflow in DocuSign.