Destinations
Email delivery
Send files to recipients via email with traceable download links.
Last updated 2026-05-25
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ZenTransfer can email a recipient when a file arrives — useful for low-volume client delivery, single-file handoffs, and "send the headshot to PR" requests where the recipient doesn't want a cloud account.
How it works¶
Configure one or more email recipients in your dashboard. When a file is delivered with email enabled, the recipient gets an email containing a download link. The link is unique per file and can be tracked.
What you need¶
- An email address for the recipient
- The recipient's permission to receive (avoid spamming)
Setup¶
- Log in to your Dashboard
- Under File Relay, find Email recipients
- Add a recipient with name, email, and optional notes
- Enable the recipient toggle
- Send a test file to confirm delivery
What the recipient sees¶
A polite, branded email with:
- Sender identification (your account / branding)
- Filename and basic info
- A Download button linking to a
/a/<id>download URL - Optional thumbnail preview
The download link works without a ZenTransfer account. Downloads are logged so you can verify the recipient retrieved the file.
Use cases¶
| Use case | Notes |
|---|---|
| Send a portrait to a PR contact | Low volume, one-off |
| Deliver final headshot to a publication | Specific recipient, single file |
| Newsroom "send today's selects" | Add the picture editor as a recipient |
| Notify a stakeholder of new content | Combine with other destinations |
For bulk client delivery, a gallery share link is usually a better fit than email.
Multiple recipients¶
You can have multiple email recipients, each with their own enable toggle. Enable per assignment the same way you'd enable any other destination.
Spam and deliverability¶
ZenTransfer emails come from a verified domain. Most major providers deliver to inbox, but recipients should whitelist or unblock if filtered. If a key recipient's mail server quarantines the messages, ask them to add the sender domain to their allowlist.
Tracking downloads¶
The download link logs each retrieval. You can see in your account whether and when a recipient downloaded the file — useful for proving delivery on commissioned work.
Common mistakes¶
- Email recipient enabled across all jobs — the recipient gets every file, not just the relevant ones
- Wrong email address — bounce; check spelling, check Test
- Expecting full client portal from email delivery — for that, use galleries
Related reading¶
- Galleries and sharing — for bulk client delivery
- Client workflow
- Email delivery (features)