How to reduce contract turnaround from days to minutes
The 'print-sign-scan-email' cycle adds 3-7 days to every deal. Here's how to eliminate it completely.
Where the time actually goes
In a traditional signing workflow: you email a PDF (instant), the recipient prints it (assumes they have a printer — many don't), signs it (30 seconds), scans it (assumes they have a scanner — many don't), and emails it back. Each step adds friction. The average contract sent via email for printing takes 5.4 days to return signed. 22% never come back at all.
The e-signature workflow
Upload PDF. AI places signature fields. Enter signer's email, hit send. Signer gets an email, clicks the link, reviews the document, draws their signature, submits. You get notified. Total elapsed time: often under 15 minutes. The record on SignOwl is 47 seconds from send to signed.
Why mobile signing changes everything
68% of e-signature completions happen on mobile devices. Your client is standing in line at a coffee shop, checks their email, taps the link, signs with their finger, done. No printer. No scanner. No 'I'll do it when I get back to my desk' — which really means 'I'll forget about this for 4 days.'
Templates eliminate prep time
For documents you send repeatedly — NDAs, contractor agreements, standard proposals — create a template once with pre-placed fields. Every future send is just entering the signer's email. Prep time drops from 5-10 minutes to literally 15 seconds.
Automatic reminders prevent ghosting
Set up automatic reminders at intervals you choose. If a signer hasn't completed the document in 24 hours, they get a gentle nudge. No more 'just following up on that contract' emails. No more wondering if they even received it. The platform handles follow-up so you can focus on work.
Measuring the impact
Track your metrics before and after switching: average turnaround time, completion rate (signed vs sent), time spent on document prep, and number of follow-up emails sent. Most businesses see 80-90% reduction in turnaround time and near-elimination of unsigned documents.
Frequently asked questions
What if the signer doesn't have email?
You can share the signing link via any channel — text message, WhatsApp, Slack DM. The signer just needs a browser. No account, no app download.
Can signers request changes before signing?
Yes. Signers can decline with a reason or leave comments explaining what needs to change. You modify the document and re-send — still faster than the print-sign-scan cycle.
Ready to send your first document?
Upload a PDF, add signature fields, and send — your signers get a beautiful page on any device. No accounts, no apps, no friction.
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