Use case

Get your statement of work signed before the project starts

An agreed SOW is not the same as a signed one. Send the final version, collect the signature, and get scope and terms on record before the work starts.

Last reviewed: June 17, 2026

Inkly workflow

Send, sign, track

  1. 1Upload your SOW to Inkly
  2. 2Place signature and date fields for the client
  3. 3Send, and Inkly emails the client a signing link
  4. 4Inkly notifies you when it's signed, then download the completed document

Who it's for: Consultants, agencies, freelancers, and any service provider who needs a signed scope document before starting paid project work.

A statement of work defines the deliverables, timeline, and cost of a project. When it is signed, everyone knows what has been agreed. When it is not signed, scope creep happens, payment disputes follow, and conversations become difficult. Getting a SOW signed before any work begins is a basic professional standard that is easy to let slide when the signing process is inconvenient.

Inkly removes that inconvenience. Upload your SOW as a PDF, place the signature fields, and send a link. Your client signs from wherever they are, on whatever device they have handy. You get a notification, download the completed document, and begin the project with a clear record of what was agreed and when.

What you'll send

  • Project statements of work
  • Engagement scopes
  • Consulting deliverable agreements
  • Fixed-fee project agreements
  • Retainer scope documents

Common challenges

  • Starting projects without a signed SOW and losing leverage when scope disputes arise
  • Clients treating email approval as equivalent to a signed agreement
  • Delays in getting a SOW back because the signing process is cumbersome

Best for

  • Any service provider who bills by the project
  • Teams that want a signed scope document on file before kickoff
  • Professionals who need a clear record of what was agreed and when

Not best for

  • Teams that need to build or write SOWs inside the signing tool
  • Organizations requiring multi-level internal approval before client signature

Security and compliance

Security built into every signature.

Documents are encrypted, every signer is accounted for, and each step is recorded in a tamper-evident trail you can download anytime.

Identity verified

ESIGN & UETA compliant

Every signature carries intent, attribution, and a tamper-evident audit trail.

Client
TLS
Inkly

Encryption everywhere

AES-256 protects stored files. SHA-256 hashes make signed PDFs tamper-evident.

Independently audited

SOC 2 infrastructure

Runs on independently audited, SOC 2 Type II–compliant infrastructure.

Signed PDF

Downloadable audit trail

View, signing, and completion events are captured in a Certificate of Completion.

Pricing

Plans that scale with your signature volume.

Start free for your first 5 documents. Upgrade when your contracts pick up speed.

Free

Free forever for light, personal signing.

$0
  • 5 sent documents per 30 days
  • Upload, prepare, and send PDFs
  • Email signing links
  • Completion notices
  • Basic sender status
  • Finalized PDF download
  • Tamper-evident audit trail
  • 14-day document retention
Start free

No credit card required

Pro

Unlimited signing for individuals.

$19/month
  • Everything in Free
  • Unlimited sent documents
  • Unlimited personal templates
  • Unlimited document retention
  • Open notifications
  • Signing reminders
  • Personal message in signing invites

Teams

For growing teams that close together.

$49/month
+$10/mo per extra user
  • 5 team members included
  • Everything in Pro
  • Shared workspace documents
  • Shared workspace templates
  • Teammate invitations
  • Admin and member roles
  • Seat management
  • Centralized billing
  • Team-visible activity

FAQ

Common questions

Short, practical answers to what teams ask before they start sending.

Related pages

Keep exploring

Explore related industries, use cases, and document workflows without starting from scratch.

Free to start. No credit card required.

Send your first document
in under a minute.

Drag in a PDF, place your fields, and watch the signatures roll in.