Master Reference Guide
Document Cover Pages: Configuration & Placeholder Directory
Learn how to trigger, design, and automate Front and Back Covers with dynamic data, AcroForm field mapping, and HTML overlays.
Overview
The system supports automated Front Covers and Back Covers for all generated PDF documents (Sales Quotes, Job Tickets, Invoices, Purchase Orders, and Standard Documents). Cover pages are generated as single, full-page sheets prepended or appended to your core document.
Covers can be triggered dynamically using document hashtags, loaded automatically via templates, or configured in the system Document Designer with dynamic data binding.
1. Triggering Covers via Hashtags
Place cover hashtags anywhere in your document body or master template. During PDF generation, the compiler automatically detects these tokens, strips them from the document text, and compiles the designated cover pages.
Generic Covers (Auto-Resolved)
Automatically resolves to the default system cover configured for your current document type:
#FrontCover#
#BackCover#
Targeted Covers (Explicit ID)
Explicitly assigns a specific standard or custom cover design using its registered numeric ID:
#FrontCover:2076#
#BackCover:2077#
Best Practice: Rather than typing hashtags manually into individual ad-hoc documents, embed them directly into your Document Templates. Every document generated from that template will automatically feature your covers without user intervention.
2. Registered Cover ID Allocations
The system reserves IDs 2064 through 2099 exclusively for cover layouts.
| ID Range |
Category |
Description & Behavior |
| 2064 / 2065 |
Sales Quotes |
Front Cover (2064) & Back Cover (2065) for Project and Sales Quotations. |
| 2066 / 2067 |
Site Standard Docs |
Site Documentation and Post correspondence. |
| 2068 / 2069 |
Company Standard Docs |
Internal and external corporate policy documentation. |
| 2070 / 2071 |
Job Tickets |
Field Service and Workshop Job Sheets. |
| 2072 / 2073 |
Financial & Invoices |
Invoices, Credit Notes, and Statements. |
| 2074 / 2075 |
Purchasing Orders |
Supplier Purchase Orders and delivery documentation. |
| 2076 – 2099 |
Custom Covers Pool |
User-defined custom covers. These are interchangeable—any ID can be deployed as either a Front or Back cover (however, a single ID cannot be assigned as both on the same document). |
3. Implementation Methods & Important Nuances
To design your covers, navigate to Settings > Document Designer > Front Covers, Back Covers, or Custom Covers. You can implement your designs using two distinct methods:
Method A: Uploaded PDF with Embedded Form Fields (AcroForms)
Upload a graphic background PDF containing standard AcroForm text fields named after supported hashtags (e.g. #CustomerAddress# or #OurRef#). The system reads these fields, inserts your live data, and flattens the result into native, vector-sharp text.
- Vector Sharpness: Renders crisp vector typography natively positioned over your artwork.
- Natural Transparency: Background graphics show through text seamlessly without edge artifacts.
- Text Fields Only: PDF form fields only support plain text. Graphical placeholders (such as
#CompanyLogo#, #Signature#, or #ProductQR#) cannot be rendered into AcroForms.
Method B: Background PDF with an HTML Editor Overlay
Upload your background PDF, leave an open panel, and design your layout directly in the HTML Editor.
- Positioning with Margins: Use the Top, Right, Bottom, and Left Margins in the designer to position your HTML content precisely over the designated panel on your background PDF.
- Rich Formatting & Images: Fully supports styled typography, colored text, badges, and dynamic images like
#CompanyLogo# and #ProductQR#.
- Strict 1-Page Rule: Cover pages are strictly capped at a single page. If your HTML content exceeds the printable margin boundary, trailing content is clipped. Keep your markup concise.
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Critical Nuance: HTML Canvas Background Transparency
The HTML rendering engine treats HTML overlays as opaque layers. HTML elements cannot render transparent backgrounds over the underlying PDF background. If you leave the HTML background unset, it will render as solid white by default.
Matching Color Panels: If the content box on your uploaded PDF has a colored panel (e.g. charcoal, navy, or tinted grey), you must set that exact same HEX background color in your HTML container (e.g. background-color: #24292e;). This ensures your overlay blends seamlessly into the background without leaving a visible white box.
4. Master Dynamic Hashtag Directory
The system supports the dynamic placeholders listed below across cover pages and document templates:
A. Company Identity & Representative Tags
| Placeholder Tag |
Type / Route |
Data Output & Formatting Notes |
| #CompanyName# |
Text / Both |
Your company's registered trading name. |
| #CompanyLogo# |
HTML Overlay Only |
Renders an automated <img> tag of your company logo with preserved aspect ratio. |
| #CompanyEmail# |
Text / Both |
Head office default contact email address. |
| #CompanyPhone# |
Text / Both |
Head office primary telephone number. |
| #CompanyAddress_Inline# |
Text / Both |
Your company address as a single horizontal line separated by commas. |
| #CompanyAddress_Block# |
Text / Both |
Your company address formatted across multiple lines. |
| #QuoteRepName# |
Text / Both |
Full name of the representative assigned to the quote or document. |
| #Signature# |
HTML Overlay Only |
Injects the representative's stored digital signature graphic with their printed name underneath. |
B. Customer, Recipient & Site Address Tags
| Placeholder Tag |
Type / Route |
Data Output & Formatting Notes |
| #CustomerAddress# |
Text / Both |
Full multi-line postal address block with bold header, ideal for envelope windows. |
| #CustomerAddress_InLine# |
Text / Both |
Customer address formatted as a single horizontal line separated by commas. |
| #SendToAddress# |
Text / Both |
Recipient address. Fully respects "Care Of" (C/o) settings when configured. |
| #RegardingAddress# |
Text / Both |
Site/property location address that the document refers to. |
| #FAO# / #DisplayName# |
Text / Both |
Contact name for the attention of (FAO) the recipient. Falls back to company name if blank. |
C. Reference Numbers & Date Information
| Placeholder Tag |
Type / Route |
Data Output & Formatting Notes |
| #OurRef# |
Text / Both |
The unique document reference number (e.g. E1234, Q5400). |
| #AutoReference# |
Text / Both |
Outputs "Our Ref: [DocTitle]" automatically (bypassed if #OurRef# is also present). |
| #TodayDate# |
Text / Both |
Today's date formatted according to your company date preference. |
| #TodayTime# |
Text / Both |
Current generation timestamp. |
| #ValidUntil# |
Text / Both |
The validity expiration date for the quotation. |
| #CurrencySymbol# |
Text / Both |
Company currency symbol (e.g. £, $, €). |
D. Asset, Equipment & QR Code Tags
| Placeholder Tag |
Type / Route |
Data Output & Formatting Notes |
| #ProductQR# |
HTML Overlay Only |
Generates a dynamic 50x50px QR code image pointing to the asset's digital portal link. |
| #TagName# |
Text / Both |
Asset identifier / site tag identifier. |
| #ProductRef# |
Text / Both |
Internal unique asset reference number. |
| #SerialNumber# |
Text / Both |
Equipment manufacturer serial number. |
| #MakeModel# / #TheProduct# |
Text / Both |
Full combined equipment Make and Model description. |
| #ProductMake# / #ProductModel# |
Text / Both |
Individual fields for equipment manufacturer and model name. |
E. Service Contract & Project Tags
| Placeholder Tag |
Type / Route |
Data Output & Formatting Notes |
| #ContractName# |
Text / Both |
Title or description of the service agreement. |
| #ContractNumber# |
Text / Both |
Master contract reference code (prefixed with 'X'). |
| #CNum# |
Text / Both |
Contract agreement identifier (prefixed with 'C'). |
| #ManagingAgent# |
Text / Both |
Managing agency or main contractor name. |
| #ContractStart# / #ContractEnd# |
Text / Both |
Agreement start and renewal/expiry dates. |
| #VisitCount# |
Text / Both |
Scheduled service visit tally under this agreement. |
F. Financial, Invoicing & Banking Tags
| Placeholder Tag |
Type / Route |
Data Output & Formatting Notes |
| #InvoiceNo# |
Text / Both |
Sales invoice number. |
| #TaxDate# |
Text / Both |
Official tax date of the invoice. |
| #AccountNo# |
Text / Both |
Customer sales ledger account number. |
| #TaxRegNo# |
Text / Both |
Company VAT / Tax registration number. |
| #BankPaymentDetails# |
Text / Both |
Formatted bank name, account number, and sort code for remittance. |
| #PaymentTerms# |
Text / Both |
Agreed terms (e.g. "30 Days Net"). |
| #SubTotal# / #NetAmount# |
Text / Both |
Net amount prior to taxation. |
| #TaxAmount# |
Text / Both |
Total VAT / Tax calculated. |
| #InvoiceTotal# |
Text / Both |
Gross total of the invoice. |
| #PaidToDate# / #BalanceDue# |
Text / Both |
Amount received and remaining balance outstanding. |
| #CIS# |
Text / Both |
Construction Industry Scheme deduction amount. |
Setup Checklist
- Go to Settings > Document Designer > Custom Covers and select an ID from
2076 through 2099.
- Upload your background PDF:
- Method A: Ensure AcroForm text fields inside the PDF match the desired tag name (e.g.
#CustomerAddress#).
- Method B: Leave an open design panel, write your text in the HTML Editor, and configure the Margins to align the overlay. If the PDF panel has a background color, match the HTML
background-color to that exact HEX code.
- Remember that dynamic image tags (
#CompanyLogo#, #Signature#, #ProductQR#) must be placed in the HTML Editor overlay, not in PDF form fields.
- Ensure the cover is marked Active in the Document Designer.
- Add your cover hashtag (e.g.
#FrontCover:2076#) directly into your master template.