Laser Contract Formats
This article will discuss Laser Contract Formats. Laser contract formats allow you to customize the appearance, layout, and content of your contracts to meet your business's or customer's requirements.
Topics included in this article
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting there
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Laser Contract Format Screen Definitions
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Creating/Editing Laser Contract Formats
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How to Assign Contract Formats as Defaults
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Contract Sections, Definitions, and Examples
Frequently asked questions
How many contract formats can I create?
- You can create up to 20 different contract formats for printing, emailing, or faxing contracts.
Can I have different format defaults for each type of contract?
- Yes! Default formats can be set based on contract status or delivery method.
Can contracts also print the backside legalese?
- You can print the entire contract, including the backside with legal lines and shading.
- However, it's common practice among our customers to have a preprinted page with their backside legalese on one side and their company logo and a watermark on the other. Any printing company can do pre-printed forms, but we recommend using In-a-Bind (800) 862-2463.
What file types are contract formats saved as?
All contract formats use the "Contract-Params" unless you have a customer report format.
Getting there
The path to access Laser Contract Formats differs slightly depending on your software version:
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Expert: Navigate to Program Menu > Configuration > System Configurations > Laser Contract Formats.
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Elite: Access the settings through Configuration Gear > App Configurations > System Configurations > Laser Contract Formats.
Laser Contract Format Screen Definitions
| Edit | Press Edit to edit any contract-type formats. | |
| Edit Contract Attachments | This will allow you to edit the attachments that can be added to the contract: backside legal, owner signature, credit card author, and marketing page. | |
| View All Formats | This will allow you to view parameters for all contract formats. | |
| Go to Page # | This will allow you to go to the next page of Laser Contract Formats. |
Creating/Editing Laser Contract Formats
| 💡 Pro Tip! To ensure accurate formatting of your contracts, we recommend creating a test format named "Test Format." This allows you to experiment with various selections and observe their impact on the printed contract without leaving the Property and Office Record (POR) system. Simply navigate to the Counter System Menu and print a contract to see the effects of your changes in real-time. Once you are satisfied with the formatting, apply those settings to the live format for final use. |
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Click the edit button next to any formats that you want to edit.
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Give the format a description. You will see this as an option on the print screen (when printing a contract).
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The file name should be "Contract-Params.rpt" or "Contract-Params.SQL.rpt". If you are creating a new format that did not exist before, simply click in the file name field and choose "Contract-Params.rpt".
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Notice the tabs labeled Header, Item Details, Detail Columns, Sections, and Footer. We will explore these below.
Header tab
You can choose from 11 different headers and 3 different fonts, both displayed in the red box. The example below (image) uses a small 1”x2” logo. To use this feature, you must insert your logo in System Parameters. To learn more about logos in System Parameters, see our article System Parameters - Store Info. To view the different logos and examples, scroll down to the Contract Definitions - Header section.
You can check or uncheck the options displayed in the green box to enable or disable them from appearing in your contract header.
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Operator Name |
This is the name of the operator who edited the contract. |
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Barcode |
The contract number will be printed as a barcode. |
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Setup Time |
This will print the estimated setup time entered into the contract. |
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Bill To |
This will print the Bill To address, if one exists for the customer, instead of their physical address. The billing address is entered in the Account tab of the customer's file record. For more information on how to enter a billing address, see our article Customer File - Account Tab. |
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Remit To |
This will print your company's remit to address instead of the business address. The remit to address can be entered in the Store Info tab of Parameters. For more information on how to enter a remit address, see our article System Parameters - Store Info. |
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Include Web Links |
This will print a small web logo with your store information. The customer can click on it to be taken to your website. To use this feature, you must fill out the Web Integration URL field found within the Store Info tab in Parameters. For more information, please see our article System Parameters - Store Info. |
Item Details tab
In this tab, you can decide how to sort item details and determine which details to make visible.
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Show All Items |
If unchecked, items marked as "No Print on Contract" won't print; if checked, all items will be printed. |
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Item Picture |
If checked, pictures of any existing items will be printed on the contract. |
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Item Specs |
If checked, any existing item specs will be printed on the contract. |
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Item Print Out |
If checked, any existing item printouts will be printed. |
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Item Rates |
If checked, rental item rates will be displayed under the items. |
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Discounted Rates |
If checked, discounted rates will be displayed on the contract. |
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Hide Logistics Out |
If checked, the format won't show items on delivery Logistics tickets. |
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Retail Pricing |
If checked, the retail price of sales items will be printed. |
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Discount Detail |
If checked, the discount percentage and amounts will be printed for each line item. |
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Without Amounts |
If checked, the contract will print without the line item amounts. |
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Show No Times |
If checked, the delivery and pickup dates will only print the date portion. |
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Contract Due Date |
If checked, the line item's due back date and time will be printed. |
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Include Web Links |
If checked, web links will be included in the contract. |
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Hide Logistics In |
If checked, the format won't show items on Pickup Logistics tickets. |
Details Columns tab
There are 7 columns in the standard contract format. The Invoice format has 6, and column 5 does not apply. Several of these columns have up to 35 different selections, or you can choose none to leave the column blank. You may set your rental and sales columns up separately. See the Definition-Item-Detail-Columns section at the bottom for descriptions of columns and fields.
Tips for Effective Column Usage:
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Prioritize essential information: Select columns that are most relevant to your clients and business needs.
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Maintain a clean layout: Avoid overcrowding columns with excessive data.
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Use clear and concise labels: Ensure column headers are easily understood.
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Consider combining columns: Utilize combo fields (e.g., Discount %/Each) to present related information efficiently.
Each price with tax/extended price with tax - In the Detail Columns tab of Point of Rental (POR), prices are rounded up to three decimal places (.003) to ensure accurate tax calculations. POR takes all items on the contract, calculates the total, and performs a single rounding for the total tax amount. If each item were rounded to two decimal places, the final tax calculated would be inaccurate.
Sections tab
To customize your contract, there are additional options available. Keep in mind that you'll need to create and upload files for the Backside Legalese, Credit Card Authorization, and Marketing Page into Point of Rental. If you don't, you'll get a blank page when printing the contract. Refer to our Backside Legal documentation for further details.
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Shade Color dropdown |
You can choose from four distinct shade levels. This feature is helpful if you prefer no shading or want to adjust the shading's darkness based on your printer's capabilities. |
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Delivery Comments |
Print the contract's delivery comments. |
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Delivery at Top |
Display delivery and pick-up information at the top of the contract. When unchecked, this information appears after the line items. |
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Print Delivery Truck |
Print the delivery truck assigned to the contract. |
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Contract Comments |
Print the contract's comments. |
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Payments Details |
Print the payment details. |
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Trans Modifications |
Print all transaction modifications for the contract. |
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Backside Legalese |
Check the box to print the full page of Legalese before the contract. A Legalese form must be entered under Configuration >Printout Fields. The check box next to Backside Legalese will tell Point of Rental whether to print the Backside Legalese before the contract or after the contract. |
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Credit Card Authorization |
Print the full-page credit card authorization form before the contract. The form must be entered under Configuration > Print Out Fields. |
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Marketing Page |
Print the full-page marketing page before the contract. A marketing page form must be entered under Configurations > Printout Fields. |
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Print Summary Only |
Print a summarized payment section on the printed contract. This option shows refunds when money is moved from the deposit field to the rental/sale and refund. |
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Print after Contract |
Print the legalese after the contract has been printed, instead of before. |
Footer tab
From a selection of 16 distinct footer styles, you can choose one that best suits your needs. Furthermore, separate labor and parts with work order totals. Refer to the Definitions section at the page's bottom for more information about these footers, Definition-Footer. Additionally, you can enable or disable features such as the customer's or owner's signature. You also have the option to turn off the footer entirely or just the totals section.
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Owner Signature |
Enable this option to print the owner's signature. This feature is primarily used in California. To do this, you must save the graphic image of the customer's signature under "Configuration > Printout Field." |
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Customer Signature |
Enable this option to print the customer's signature. Note that this feature is only available if you have a signature capture pad to capture the customer's signature. |
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Totals Section |
Enable or disable this option to turn the totals section on or off. |
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Contract Footer |
Enable or disable this option to turn the entire footer section of the contract on or off. This is useful for internal use formats, such as pick lists and loading formats. |
How to Assign Contract Format as Defaults
Once you've created your different contract formats, you can specify when each format should be used.
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Here's how to access the settings:
Expert: Program Menu > Configuration > System Configurations > Parameters > Contracts tab
Elite: Configuration Gear > App Configurations > System Configurations > Parameters > Contracts tab -
Open the Contracts tab. Here, you can select the default contract formats for open, closed, reservation, and other types of contracts.
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After setting up your default formats, you can test them by printing contracts from Day-at-a-Glance.
Contract Section Definitions and Examples
Header Types
Please note, the Use Invoice Format is no longer available for Contract Format versions after Version 2010.
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Standard |
Prints store name, address, phone, fax, and website information in the upper left corner. |
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Logo-1x2 |
Prints a 2"w x 1"h logo in the upper left, with address, phone, fax, and website information to the right of the logo. The logo must be formatted in 2 x 1 size. |
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Pull Sheet |
Prints minimal company info at the top, with larger customer names. Designed for pulling and staging reservations. |
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No Logo – 1x4 |
Prints no company information in the upper left. Designed for a preprinted logo no bigger than 4"w x 1"h. Your preprinted logo must include your address, phone, and web information. |
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Remit with Store |
Prints store name, address, phone, fax, website information, and store remit address in the upper left.
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Logo 1x4 |
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No Logo – 1x2 |
It provides a 2"w x 1"h area in the upper left for a preprinted logo. The company address, phone, fax, and website information are printed to the right of the logo. Note: This header prints the company address, phone and fax number, and website information just to the right of the preprinted logo. It is designed for multi-store users who want all stores to have the same logo but also print the address at each store. The box is an example of where you may preprint. |
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No Logo – 1x8 |
Provides a 4"w x 1"h area in the upper left for a preprinted logo. Nothing prints at the top of the heading section. |
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Logo – 1x8 |
Prints a 1x8 logo on the contract. The logo must be formatted to 1x8 and saved in the logo field of parameters.
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Load Slip |
Documents providing detailed information about a shipment of goods, typically used for transport and delivery purposes. |
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Logo 1x2 Box |
Prints different designs than others, using boxes for store and customer information. |
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Item Detail Columns (Same for rental and sales items)
Enhance your contracts and improve clarity with customizable item detail columns. These columns offer flexibility in presenting crucial information about each rental or sales item.
Column Options:
| Column 1 - Quantity | Clearly displays the quantity of each item. |
| Columns 2, 4, 6, and 7 |
These columns offer a range of data points to choose from:
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| Column 3: |
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| Column 5: |
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Tips for Effective Column Usage:
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Prioritize essential information: Select columns most relevant to your clients and business needs.
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Maintain a clean layout: Avoid overcrowding columns with excessive data.
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Use clear and concise labels: Ensure column headers are easily understood.
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Consider combining columns: To present related information efficiently, utilize combo fields (e.g., Discount %/Each).
Footers
When creating professional contracts, the footer provides crucial information to your clients. Selecting the appropriate footer ensures clarity and professionalism. Consider the following factors before making your choice:
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External Tax Services: If you utilize external tax services like Vertex or CCH, certain footer options may be unavailable due to formatting or data integration limitations.
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Information Display: Footers can display information vertically or horizontally. Consider which orientation best suits your contract layout and readability.
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Horizontal:
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Vertical:
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Content Emphasis: Some footers emphasize retail amounts, while others highlight undiscounted values or savings. Choose the option that best reflects your pricing strategy and desired transparency.
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Third-Party Signatories: If a third party is signing the contract, select a footer that includes relevant information, such as clear breakdowns of charges and responsibilities.
Footer Options
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Vertical & Horizontal Standard |
This is the standard footer used for most contracts. Totals Rental/Sales/Delivery/Damage Waiver/Item Percentage. This will show subtotals and amounts paid. |
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Vertical/Horizontal 1 |
This shows retail values for rental items, sales items, damage waivers, and delivery fees, then figures a “Savings” amount and subtotals. The remaining values are the same as those in the Standard footer. |
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Vertical/Horizontal 2 |
This footer displays retail values for all items in the totals section. It is good for showing a third-party signing for the rental/sales items. Note: The Sales Tax breakout is an option, please see the note below this table. |
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Vertical/Horizontal 3 |
This footer displays retail values for all items in the totals section. It is suitable for showing a third-party signature for rental/sales items. Note: The Sales Tax breakout is an option, please see the note below this table. |
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Vertical/Horizontal 4 |
This shows undiscounted values for rental items, sales items, damage waivers, and delivery fees, then figures a “Savings” amount and subtotals. The remaining values are the same as those in the Standard footer. The Sales Tax breakout is an option, please see the note below this table. |
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Vertical/Horizontal 5 |
This displays undiscounted values for all items in the totals section. This footer is suitable for displaying to a third-party signatory for rental or sales items. Note: The Sales Tax breakout is an option, please see the note below this table. |
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Vertical/Horizontal 6 |
This displays undiscounted values for all items in the totals section. This footer is suitable for displaying to a third-party signatory for rental or sales items. Note: The Sales Tax breakout is an option, please see the note below this table. |
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Vertical/Horizontal WO |
This shows the same as the Standard footer for a work order contract. The values are the same as the Standard, except it will total your sales as a “Parts Charge.” |
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Vertical/Horizontal W/O Legal |
This displays the same as the Standard footer, but it excludes the legal statements. |
Note: The Sales Tax breakout is supported only in version 2025.14 and later, and only when using the Contract-Params.MC.SQL.rpt format with a Sales Tax Integration. If the footer is used with any other format, without a Sales Tax Integration, or on earlier versions, the Sales Tax breakout remains unavailable.
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