If you're wrangling RSVPs for a big corporate event, you know the drill: you need registration forms that don't look like leftovers from the early 2000s, collect the right info, and actually fit your brand. The good news? You don't need to beg IT for help or wrestle with a clunky tool. This guide is for marketers, ops folks, and anyone tasked with making a polished event sign-up form—no code degree required.
Let’s walk through how to use Paperform to build branded event registration forms that do the job without a fuss. We’ll cover what’s worth your time, what’s just window dressing, and how to dodge common headaches.
Why Paperform (and What to Watch Out For)
Paperform is a form builder that promises more design flexibility than Google Forms, but without the learning curve of something like Typeform or custom HTML. You get drag-and-drop editing, easy branding options, and integrations for things like payments or calendar invites. That said, it’s not magic—there are limits, especially if you want pixel-perfect layouts or super-advanced logic.
What works: - Real branding controls (colors, fonts, logos) - Conditional logic for smarter forms - Decent integrations (Zapier, native calendar, payments) - Clean, mobile-friendly designs
What doesn’t: - Custom CSS is limited—fine for most, but designers might grumble - Some advanced logic or workflows can get messy fast - Price isn’t the cheapest, especially for occasional use - If you need true multi-language support, it’s basic
If you’re after a good-looking, branded form that doesn’t break when people use it on their phones, Paperform is a solid bet.
Step 1: Map Out What You Actually Need
Before you touch any software, get clear on what your form needs to do. Here’s a quick checklist:
- What info do you need from attendees? (Name, company, dietary, etc.)
- Any special ticket types or session sign-ups?
- Will you collect payments now, later, or not at all?
- Do you need approval steps or waitlists?
- Should responses trigger emails, calendar invites, or Slack alerts?
- What brand elements matter—logo, colors, fonts, wording?
Pro tip: The fewer fields, the better. Every extra question is a reason for someone to bail.
Step 2: Set Up Your Paperform Account
Head to Paperform and sign up. There’s a free trial, but most corporate needs will push you to a paid plan—mainly for custom branding and integrations.
- Go to the dashboard and hit “Create Form.”
- Choose “Blank” unless you see a template that’s 80% of what you want (most are wedding or party-focused, so don’t get sucked in).
Step 3: Build the Form Structure
Start with the basics and layer on complexity only if you really need it.
The Essentials
- Add a title and intro: Keep it short. People skim.
- Name and email fields: Use the built-in fields—don’t overthink.
- Company and job title: Only if you actually use this info.
- Custom questions: Dietary needs, accessibility, breakout preferences, etc.
Pro tips:
- Use conditional logic for optional stuff (e.g., only show dietary restrictions if someone says they’ll attend the dinner).
- Group related questions with section breaks. It helps people feel like they’re making progress.
- Don’t ask for the same info twice. (You’d be surprised.)
Payments & Tickets
If you’re charging for the event:
- Add a “Payment” field.
- Set up ticket types as product options (e.g., “General Admission,” “VIP”).
- Connect your Stripe or PayPal account in the Payments tab.
Paperform handles basic payment flows. For anything complex (discount codes, multiple currencies), check their docs—it's possible but gets fiddly.
Step 4: Brand It (Without Overdoing It)
You want it to look like your event, not a generic RSVP link.
- Logo: Upload your company or event logo at the top.
- Colors: Adjust background, button, and accent colors to your brand palette.
- Fonts: Paperform has a decent selection. Pick one close to your brand’s, but don’t stress if it’s not exact.
- Custom URL: On paid plans, you can use a branded subdomain (like
events.yourcompany.com). Worth it if you care about polish.
What to skip: Don’t get lost in background images or animations—most just distract or slow things down, especially on mobile.
Step 5: Set Up Logic, Automations, and Notifications
This is where you can make your life easier—or create a mess if you overdo it.
Conditional Logic
- Show or hide questions based on previous answers (e.g., only ask for dietary needs if someone said “Yes” to attending the dinner).
- Route people to different thank-you screens or follow-up questions.
Automations
- Email confirmations: Set up an automatic “thanks for registering” email. Add calendar invites or event details.
- Internal alerts: Notify your team via email or Slack when someone registers.
- Integrations: Use Zapier or native integrations to push data to Google Sheets, Salesforce, or wherever you need it.
Pro tips:
- Test your logic with a few dummy submissions. It’s easy to create loops or dead ends if you get too fancy.
- Keep automations simple to start—add more only if you find gaps.
Step 6: Test Like You’re an Attendee
Don’t just preview—send the form to a few colleagues or friends and have them actually fill it out on their phones. Look for:
- Confusing questions (or ones nobody wants to answer)
- Clunky layouts on mobile
- Broken logic (fields not appearing as they should)
- Slow load times (usually due to images or heavy branding)
If you get feedback like “I wasn’t sure what this question was asking” or “I didn’t get a confirmation email,” fix it now. You won’t have time once invites go out.
Step 7: Launch and Monitor
- Send your branded link via email, calendar invites, or wherever your guests hang out.
- Watch submissions come in from your Paperform dashboard.
- If you’re collecting payments, check that funds are flowing in as expected.
- Export lists or connect integrations as needed for guest check-in, badges, or follow-up.
What to ignore:
- Don’t obsess over “advanced analytics” unless you have a specific reason (like A/B testing two invites).
- Skip add-ons like countdown timers or pop-ups. They rarely help with B2B events.
Step 8: After the Event—Make Next Time Easier
Once your event’s wrapped, export responses and see what worked. Did people drop off at a certain question? Was the info you collected actually useful?
- Use Paperform’s duplication feature to save your form as a template for next time.
- Jot down what you’d change, while it’s fresh. (You’ll forget.)
Honest FAQs
Q: Can I make my form look exactly like my website?
Not really. You can get close with colors, fonts, and logos, but true pixel-perfect design isn’t Paperform’s thing. For most corporate events, “close enough” is fine.
Q: Is Paperform secure enough for sensitive info?
For basic attendee data, yes—it uses HTTPS and standard protections. If you’re collecting highly sensitive info, check with your IT/security team.
Q: How many people can register?
Practically, as many as you want. Just keep an eye on your plan’s limits for submissions.
Q: What about GDPR/compliance?
Paperform has standard compliance features (consent checkboxes, data export). If you’re in a heavily regulated industry, consult legal.
Keep It Simple, Fix as You Go
Building branded event registration forms doesn’t have to be a project. Start simple, use only the features you need, and make it look good enough that people know it’s your event—not a random sign-up link. Iterate after your first run. Most people will thank you for making registration painless, and your team will thank you for not reinventing the wheel.
Now go build a form that works—then get back to planning your event.