# Create and send a proposal > Start from a blank page or a template, add the client and priced line items, set signature, deposit, and expiry terms, then send the proposal by email or text. - Product: Workspace369 - Documentation version: 2026.3 - Section: Revenue - Last updated: 2026-09-07 - Canonical source: https://docs.workspace369.com/v/2026.3/finance/create-and-send-a-proposal/ --- A proposal is built in the proposal editor: a page of blocks you fill in, a design tab for the look, and a settings tab for the terms. Sending it creates a public link that the client uses to accept. ## Before you begin - You need the **Create Proposals** permission to start one and **Send Proposals** to send it. - The client record needs an email address for email delivery, or a phone number for text delivery. - To require a deposit when the client accepts, connect Stripe first. Deposits are collected through Stripe Checkout. - Add the services you sell to the product catalog so line items carry the right names and rates. See [Product catalog](/v/2026.3/catalog/product-catalog/). ## Start a proposal 1. Open **Proposals** and choose **New Proposal**. 2. In **Start a new proposal**, choose **Blank proposal** or pick one of **Your templates**. 3. The editor opens with the proposal named **Untitled Proposal** and a proposal number assigned. Select the title on the cover to rename it. A blank proposal starts with the workspace defaults for theme, accent color, signature, deposit, validity, and footer text. A template keeps its own settings. ## Add the client 1. In the **Header** block, select the **Prepared for** area. 2. Search for the client by name, or type a new name to create one. Your business details fill the **From** side automatically. ## Add line items 1. In the **Line items** block, add an item by searching the catalog, or type an item name and description for a one-off charge. 2. Enter the quantity and rate. The amount is calculated for you. 3. Use the row menu to **Duplicate item** or **Remove item**, and group items when the proposal has sections of work. 4. To let the client decide on an item, choose **+ optional** on its row. Optional add-ons show as a checkbox on the client page and count toward the total only when selected. Above the totals, set the pricing controls when you need them: - **Discount**, as a percentage or a fixed amount, applied to the subtotal. - **Tax rate**, applied to the subtotal after the discount. - **Deposit**, the amount due up front, as a percentage or a fixed amount. The **Totals** block updates as you go and shows the total **With all add-ons** when optional items exist. ## Add content blocks Choose **Insert block** to add sections between the fixed parts: - **Text** for scope, approach, or a cover letter. - **Timeline** for phases and dates. - **Images** for examples of past work. - **Terms** for conditions. Type them, or choose **Insert saved terms** to reuse a document from your Terms & Conditions. Cover, Header, Line items, and Totals are always present and cannot be removed or reordered. ## Set the design Open the **Design** tab in the side panel: 1. Choose a **Theme**: Modern, Minimal, Classic, or Bold. 2. Pick an **Accent color** and a **Page background**: White, Light Gray, Cream, or Dark. 3. Under **Cover image**, upload your own image or choose one from the gallery, then pick the **Fill**, **Inset**, or **Fade** style. ## Set the terms Open the **Settings** tab in the side panel: 1. Turn on **Require signature** when the client must draw or type a signature to accept. Otherwise the client types their full name. 2. Under **Send to**, confirm the recipient. Contact persons on the client record can be chosen as well as the primary address. 3. Set **Valid until** to give the proposal an expiry, up to a year ahead, or leave it as **No expiry**. 4. Turn on **Require deposit on accept** to collect a deposit through Stripe Checkout when the client accepts. 5. Check **Follow-up reminders**. When on, clients who view but do not respond receive up to three reminder emails, 48 hours apart. This switch applies to every proposal in the workspace. 6. Add **Internal notes** for your team. They are never shown to the client. Choose **Preview** at any time to see the proposal as the client will. Changes save automatically, and the toolbar shows **Saving** and **Saved**. ## Send the proposal Above the send button, the **Almost ready to send** checklist lists anything still missing. A proposal cannot be sent until every item is resolved: - Add a client. - Client needs an email address, or the address does not look valid. - Add at least one line item, and set line item prices when the total is zero. - Give the proposal a title. - The valid-until date has passed. When the checklist is clear: 1. Choose **Send Proposal**. If the client has both an email address and a phone number, choose **Send via Email** or **Send via Text**. 2. For email, Workspace369 sends the proposal from your workspace with the public link. For text, the link is created and your messaging composer opens with it. 3. The proposal moves to **Sent** and the side panel switches to **Activity**. The public link has the form `https://369.dev/p/…` and exists from the first send. After that, **Copy Link**, **Send via Email**, and **Send SMS** in the row menu reuse the same link. ## Verify the send 1. The proposal card shows a **Sent** chip with the date. 2. The **Activity** tab lists **Proposal sent**. 3. Open the public link yourself to confirm the client view. If the email could not be delivered, the card shows **Email not sent** and the editor explains why: the client has no email address, the address is not valid, or the mail provider rejected the message. Fix the client record and send again. ## Next step [Track acceptance and convert a proposal](/v/2026.3/finance/track-acceptance-and-convert-a-proposal/).