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# eSignature concepts

> Provides an overview of the main objects used to enable eSignature, how they work, and how they are organized.

## eSignature concepts

The Docusign eSignature API is based around a core model of five objects:

* [Envelopes](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/envelopes), created individually or from [Templates](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates)
* [Documents](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/documents), contained by envelopes
* [Recipients](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/recipients), specified by envelopes
* [Tabs](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/tabs), assigned to recipients and associated with areas of agreement (such as signature areas) in documents

The following diagram shows the overall structure of how each object is related and how they fit together.

![Docusign objects](/_fern-files/_img/564444748b3805cda30d9bbd32fcb8ee61e7cd9f88e3d8844cfd9e76fe1cbcd9.webp)

Docusign provides many features and options for how you can use these objects to implement eSignature in your integration, which are described in this section alongside the objects they are associated with.

## Next steps

* Learn more about the core objects: [Envelopes](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/envelopes), [Templates](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates), [Documents](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/documents), [Recipients](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/recipients), and [Tabs](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/tabs).
* Explore features associated with the core objects, such as sending envelopes in bulk and composite templates.
* See [How-to guides](/docs/esign-rest-api/how-to) demonstrating how to use each object in eSignature scenarios.
* See definitions and descriptions for [Docusign objects](/platform/concepts) across the entire Docusign platform.