What Is a Fax Cover Sheet?

A fax cover sheet works as a cover letter for any type of document sent over a fax machine. Most fax cover sheets include the name, address and phone number of the sender as well as the same information for the receiver. Often a note is included explaining what documents are included in the facsimile transmission.

History

As fax machines became a popular way of distributing documents in the mid-1990s, a cover sheet became imperative for both knowing who the sender was and who was supposed to receive the faxed documents. Fax cover sheets became such a necessity that most word processing programs included wizards to create both a standard cover sheet and the ability to design a custom sheet for personal or business use.

Types

The simplest fax cover sheet consisted of just a handwritten note to say who was supposed to receive the documents included in the fax. Many businesses created custom designed cover sheets that included their company logo, along with their name, address, phone and fax numbers. For a short period of time in the mid-1990s, software was available to create dozens of fax cover sheet templates.

Time Frame

Although email has virtually illuminated the need for a fax machine, during the 1990s, the fax was the most secure way to transfer documents between individuals and companies. Most businesses today still have a fax machine in their offices and a few still prefer to receive sensitive documents through this medium.

Features

A fax cover sheet is generally the first sheet that prints when a facsimile transmission is received. At the very least, the cover sheet will explain who is to receive the documents and how many pages are included. The cover sheet will also state the senders name and how to reach them concerning the documents.

Size

A fax cover sheet can be any size paper but is most often a standard sized sheet of 8.5-by-11 inch copy paper. To save paper, some businesses simply attach a sticky note to an unobtrusive corner of the first page of the actual document stating who it is for, as the fax machine itself will add the senders name and phone number to the pages as they print.

Considerations

Most computers and word processors have the capability to send a fax. All that is needed is a modem to transmit the document. Numerous software programs such as WinFax allow faxes to be both sent and received (see Resources below). Fax cover sheets can be created and saved to be included in every fax sent from the computer.

Resources

• WinFax software website
• E-Fax Online Faxing Service and Software