Invoice Forms Key Terms

Learn the invoice form types available to you

Whether you sell a product or a service, you will need invoice forms at some point. You might decide to simply buy invoice forms from an office supply store to save time. If you are more interested in saving money, you could make them yourself on your computer. No matter what route you choose to go, knowing the key terms of invoice forms will be helpful in your search for the perfect form for your business.

 

Invoice

Anytime you sell a product or service, you will need to supply the customer with an invoice. An invoice typically shows your company contact information, the date, a description of the product or service sold and the price.
Try: Global Importers Database defines an invoice.

Sample invoice

You can look at a sample invoice before making your own. A sample invoice can show you what information to include on an invoice, as well as how to format it.
Try: American Electric Power provides a sample invoice and defines the fields you might find on an invoice.

Electronic invoice

An electronic invoice is created on a computer and shared electronically. Since many people store all of their files online, an electronic invoice does not have to be printed out, and is usually just emailed to the parties involved in the transaction.
Try: The e-Invoicing blog describes an electronic invoice.

Invoice template

An invoice template is a free blank form you can find online. You can either print it out or keep it on the PC, but all you have to do is fill in your company information to customize the template.
Try: Office-Kit.com provides an example of an invoice template, along with the benefits of such a tool.

Carbonless paper

If you plan to print out your own invoice forms, you should use carbonless paper in order to have more than one copy of your invoice. This way, you can give your customer a copy while keeping one for your records.
Try: Graytex Papers discusses carbonless paper and provides directions for printing out your own forms on this type of paper.

Invoice software

Many business owners now use invoice software to create invoice forms and keep them organized. Such software often allows users to keep a separate file for each client, letting them easily access any invoice years later.
Try: Top Listings Confidential discusses the benefits of invoicing software for your business.

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