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Documents for signature

This article explains how to add signature placeholders to your PDF so Capchase can automatically detect and place signature, name, and date fields during the signing flow.

Include your documents in the payment link

You can attach custom documents -- like your contract and order form -- for signature directly within the payment link creation flow, streamlining the signing process, reducing back-and-forth communications, and accelerating your deal closure.

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You can easily assign the fields that require input and signature and during the payment link completion, your buyer will be prompted to complete and sign the areas you've designated in your documents. To do that, you'll need to add signature placeholders to your PDF.

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Why you need placeholders

Capchase’s signature workflow scans your uploaded PDF for specially formatted “anchor tags” (handlebars) to know exactly where to insert signature fields. By embedding these placeholders ahead of time, you avoid manual positioning later and ensure a smooth, error-free signing experience.

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How to add placeholder tags

1. Open your source file

You can start in Word, Google Docs, Notion, or any editor that exports a selectable PDF.

2. Insert placeholders using double curly braces

Wherever you want the signer’s name, type:

Wherever you want a clickable signature box, type:

Wherever you want a date field, type:

Example snippet in your document:

3. Use unique, case-sensitive names

Each placeholder must be globally unique. For example, don’t use the same placeholder for different needs, twice.
Prefix by role to clarify who signs which field:
- Vendor placeholders start with {{vendor…}} (e.g. {{vendorSignature}})
- Buyer placeholders start with {{buyer… }} (e.g. {{buyerName}})

4. Format placeholders in a readable font/color (optional)

It’s helpful to style your tags in a light color (e.g., pale gray or white) or draw a faint box around them.

5. Export or “Save As” a PDF

Make sure the placeholder text remains selectable. If your PDF is a flattened image, Capchase will not detect the tags.

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Quick checklist before upload

All placeholders use exactly two opening and two closing braces, for example {{vendorSignature}}.
No typos or extra spaces inside your braces, e.g., {{ vendorDate }} works, but be consistent.
Every placeholder name is unique (e.g., {{vendorDate1}}, {{vendorDate2}} if you need multiple date fields).
Your PDF text is selectable (search for “{{” in a PDF viewer to confirm).

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File requirements

Format: PDF only
Size: Maximum 10 MB
Text: Must be selectable (not an image scan)
Font: Use a standard font (e.g., Arial, Helvetica) for placeholders. Avoid decorative or embedded fonts that might break the text.

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Uploading & configuring in Capchase

1. Click “Choose file” (or drag & drop)

Select your prepared PDF.
Capchase will scan for every {{…}} placeholder and display them in the configuration panel.

2. Review detected placeholders

On the left panel, you’ll see a preview of your PDF. Each detected placeholder is highlighted (purple by default).
On the right panel, a table lists each placeholder name (without braces). For each row, you can: select the field type.

3. Assign and confirm

Match each placeholder to the field type.
Scroll through all pages to confirm every tag is mapped.
Click “Continue” once satisfied.

Left panel shows PDF with purple‐highlighted placeholders; right panel shows placeholder list with signer and field‐type dropdowns.

Tips

No placeholders detected?

Double-check that your PDF isn’t a scanned image. Search for “{{” in a PDF reader.
Make sure no braces are missing (e.g., {{vendorSignature} or {vendorSignature}}).

Duplicate tag names?

Rename duplicates to something unique (e.g., {{vendorDate1}}), {{vendorDate2}}).

Include attachments or multiple pages?

Placeholders may appear anywhere in any page of your PDF. Capchase will display a full preview.