> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://payperfax.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cover Pages

> How to create and use cover pages effectively

A cover page is an optional first page you can add to your fax containing text information. It appears before any attached documents.

## What is a cover page?

A cover page provides routing and context information for your fax. It's particularly useful when:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Routing Instructions" icon="route">
    Specify who should receive the fax within an organization
  </Card>

  <Card title="Context & Notes" icon="message">
    Add explanatory notes about the attached documents
  </Card>

  <Card title="Professional Appearance" icon="briefcase">
    Present a formal cover sheet for business correspondence
  </Card>

  <Card title="No Attachments" icon="file-slash">
    Send a simple text message without uploading files
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How to add a cover page

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable cover page">
    On the PayPerFax form, click the **"Attach a cover page"** checkbox.

    This reveals additional fields for your cover page content.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the fields">
    Common cover page fields include:

    * **To**: Recipient name or department
    * **From**: Your name
    * **Company**: Your organization (if applicable)
    * **Subject**: Brief description of the fax content
    * **Message**: Additional notes or instructions
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview before sending">
    Click "Preview fax & check price" to see how your cover page will look.

    You can go back and edit if needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Cover page pricing

<Info>
  The cover page counts as **1 page** toward your total page count.

  It's included in the base package of \$2.00 for the first 3 pages.
</Info>

### Example pricing scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Cover page only (no attachments)">
    **Cost**: \$2.00

    * Cover page: 1 page
    * Total: 1 page (within the 3-page base price)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cover page + 2-page attachment">
    **Cost**: \$2.00

    * Cover page: 1 page
    * Attachment: 2 pages
    * Total: 3 pages (exactly the base price)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cover page + 5-page attachment">
    **Cost**: \$3.50

    * Cover page: 1 page
    * Attachment: 5 pages
    * Total: 6 pages
      * Base: \$2.00 (first 3 pages)
      * Additional: $2.25 (3 pages × $0.75)
      * Total: \$3.50
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Best practices

<Accordion title="Keep it concise" icon="compress">
  Cover pages are meant for routing and essential information, not lengthy messages.

  **Good**: "Attention: HR Department - Employment verification for Jane Smith"

  **Too long**: Multiple paragraphs of detailed information (consider attaching a document instead)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Include key contact info" icon="address-card">
  Add your contact information in case the recipient needs to reach you:

  * Your name
  * Phone number
  * Email address
  * Organization name
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Specify routing clearly" icon="signs-post">
  If the fax is going to a shared fax machine, be explicit about who should receive it:

  "URGENT: For Dr. Johnson's office - Patient referral"

  "Attention: Accounts Payable Department"
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Use professional language" icon="user-tie">
  Even though it's a simple text page, maintain professional tone:

  * Use proper grammar and spelling
  * Be polite and clear
  * Avoid informal abbreviations
</Accordion>

## Cover page vs. document header

<Tip>
  **Cover page**: Separate first page with metadata (To, From, Subject)

  **Document header**: Text embedded in your attached document files

  Choose based on your needs - you can use both if desired.
</Tip>

## When to skip the cover page

You don't need a cover page if:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Direct Fax Line" icon="phone">
    The destination is a dedicated fax line (not shared)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Self-Explanatory Document" icon="file-check">
    Your attached document already has all necessary context
  </Card>

  <Card title="Saving Costs" icon="piggy-bank">
    You're sending many pages and want to minimize the page count
  </Card>

  <Card title="Previous Communication" icon="comments">
    Recipient is expecting your fax and knows what it contains
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Requirements

<Warning>
  You must provide either a cover page **or** attached files to send a fax.

  You cannot submit a completely empty fax.
</Warning>

If you only want to send a text message without any document attachments, use the cover page fields for your message.

## Related topics

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Step-by-Step Guide" icon="list-check" href="/sending-faxes/step-by-step-guide">
    Complete sending instructions with screenshots
  </Card>

  <Card title="File Requirements" icon="file" href="/sending-faxes/file-requirements">
    If you're attaching documents
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pricing & Payment" icon="dollar-sign" href="/pricing/pricing">
    How cover pages affect total cost
  </Card>

  <Card title="Step-by-Step Guide" icon="list-check" href="/sending-faxes/step-by-step-guide">
    See your cover page before sending
  </Card>
</CardGroup>