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# Templates

> Learn about template objects, using them to quickly and easily create envelopes, and about other commonly-used template functionality

## Templates

A template is an object that contains an [envelope](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/envelopes) definition and can be used as a blueprint to create one or more envelopes using its stored information. Templates streamline the sending process when you frequently send the same or similar documents, or send different documents to the same group of people.

> **Note**
>
> For an example of how to send an envelope for signature using templates, see [How to request a signature by email using a template](/docs/esign-rest-api/how-to/request-signature-template-remote) or [How to request a signature using a composite template](/docs/esign-rest-api/how-to/request-signature-composite-template-embedded).

* Templates hold envelope information, but you cannot send templates as though they were envelopes. Instead, you can create envelopes using one or more templates to pre-populate the envelope with the information from the chosen templates.
* Templates do not define specific [recipients](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/recipients). Instead, they define generic roles representing parties involved in the envelope’s transaction. When you create an envelope from a template, you specify specific recipients for each role defined in the template.

You can [create an envelope](/docs/esign-rest-api/reference/envelopes/envelopes/create) using multiple templates. See [Composite templates](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/composite) for details.

## Next steps

Read about important template features:

* [Creating and using templates](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/creating)
* [Sharing templates](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/sharing)
* [Composite templates](/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/composite)

Working with templates? Learn:

* [How to create a template](/docs/esign-rest-api/how-to/create-template)
* [How to request a signature by email using a template](/docs/esign-rest-api/how-to/request-signature-template-remote)
* [How to request a signature using a composite template](/docs/esign-rest-api/how-to/request-signature-composite-template-embedded)

> Learn about template objects, using them to quickly and easily create envelopes, and about other commonly-used template functionality

## Docs

- [Creating and using templates](https://developers.docusign.com/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/creating.md): Learn how to create and use templates in the Docusign eSignature API.
- [Sharing templates](https://developers.docusign.com/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/sharing.md): Learn about how you can share templates between users and groups.
- [Composite templates](https://developers.docusign.com/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/composite.md): Learn how and when to use composite templates.
- [Elastic templates](https://developers.docusign.com/docs/esign-rest-api/esign101/concepts/templates/elastic-templates.md): Learn about elastic templates and how you can use them to simplify getting consent with your agreements.