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Sell & support · E-signatures · ~8 min read

DocuSeal

Live

Send contracts for legally-binding e-signature: prepare fields, set signing order, chase automatically, archive the audit trail.

See DocuSeal in the tool catalogue →

What is DocuSeal?

DocuSeal handles document signing: upload a PDF, place the signature and text fields, send it, and collect legally-binding e-signatures. It replaces DocuSign or Adobe Sign for the part SMBs actually use - getting contracts signed without printing anything.

How it works: a document with placed fields becomes a template (reusable) or a one-off submission. Each signer gets an email link, signs in the browser (works fine on a phone), and everyone gets the completed PDF. An audit trail records who signed what, when, from where.

Getting started

  1. Log in at your company's DocuSeal address with your Brundo account.
  2. Upload a PDF - your standard contract is the ideal first test.
  3. Place fields: drag Signature, Date, Name and Text fields onto the pages, assigned per signer role (e.g. "Client", "Us").
  4. Send a test to yourself: add your own email as signer and walk through the signing experience your clients will see.

Core concepts

Templates

A prepared document with fields, reusable endlessly. Your NDA, service agreement and quote-acceptance should each be a template - sending then takes one minute.

Signer roles & order

Fields belong to roles; when sending you map real people to roles. Sequential signing is supported: signer 2 is only invited after signer 1 completes.

Field types

Signature, initials, date (auto-fills at signing), text, checkbox. Required vs. optional is set per field.

Audit trail

Every completed submission has a log: email delivery, opens, IP, timestamps, completion. This - plus the signed PDF - is what you archive.

Everyday tasks, step by step

Send a contract for signature

  1. Open the template (or upload a one-off PDF and place fields).
  2. Enter the signer's name and email; add your own signatory if you counter-sign.
  3. Set the signing order if it matters (client first, then your director).
  4. Send. Track status on the dashboard: sent → opened → completed.

Chase an unsigned document

  1. Automatic reminders go out on schedule - check they're enabled.
  2. For a personal nudge, resend the signing link from the submission page.
  3. Sent the wrong version? Void the submission and send a corrected one - never let a wrong version float around signable.

Archive a signed contract

  1. Download the completed PDF and the audit trail.
  2. Store both in Nextcloud under the client's folder (e.g. Clients/Acme/Contracts/).

Tips & good habits

  • Template everything you send more than twice.
  • Date fields should auto-fill at signing - never pre-type a date that might go stale.
  • Tell the client a signature request is coming; unannounced e-sign emails get ignored or distrusted.
  • Check the legal weight of e-signatures for your specific document types with your lawyer - for standard B2B contracts in the EU, standard e-signature is generally fine, but exceptions exist.
  • One submission per contract version. Corrections = void + resend.

Troubleshooting & FAQ

The client didn't receive the email. Spam folder first; then verify the address and resend the link. You can also copy the signing link and send it via your own channel.

Can someone sign on a phone? Yes - the signing page is mobile-friendly; drawing a signature with a finger works well.

Is it legally binding? DocuSeal produces standard electronic signatures with a full audit trail, which are legally recognised for most business documents in the EU (eIDAS) and elsewhere. For documents requiring qualified signatures, ask your lawyer. Note this guide is general information, not legal advice.

Can I edit a document after sending? No - that would defeat the point. Void and resend.

Useful resources

Curated for the version Brundo hosts (community / self-hosted editions) — cloud-only or enterprise-only material is skipped.