--- title: "Slate Credits" slug: "slate-credits" updated: 2026-03-31T19:17:05Z published: 2026-03-31T19:17:05Z canonical: "knowledge.technolutions.net/slate-credits" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Slate Credits **Slate Credits** can be purchased at the rate of 1 Slate Credit = $1. Slate Credits do not expire. **Slate Credits** manage all in-Slate purchases, including: - Certain communication methods, like [SMS](/v1/docs/text-messaging-sms-overview), [print](/v1/docs/slate-print-overview), and [voice](/v1/docs/slate-voice-overview) - [Identity Verification](/v1/docs/identity-verification) Access your Slate Credit accounts in **Database** → **Slate Credits.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Slate Credits Accounts Overview Page.png) ## Service rates Select **Service Rates**for a list of all service rates. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Service Rates.png) #### Slate Voice durations The cost of Slate Voice comes directly from the upstream telecommunications providers that count a partial minute as a full minute. A call for 20 seconds counts as 1 minute, and a call for 1 minute and 20 seconds counts as 2 minutes. #### Recipient data fees The recipient may incur data and usage fees from their mobile provider for any text messages they receive, especially where they may not have an unlimited text messaging plan. You must capture permission to text message an individual before sending any text messages. This is generally accomplished by creating a custom field that is added to all external forms, such as an inquiry form and event registration forms. #### SMS segmentation A single SMS segment allows for up to 160 characters in the [GSM-7 character encoding](https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-is-gsm-7-character-encoding), which includes US and Western European characters. If an emoji or other character is included that requires Unicode encoding, the SMS segment switches to [UCS-2 character encoding](https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-is-ucs-2-character-encoding), which allows for up to 70 characters per segment. An estimate of the credit cost of a given SMS message appears below the [message field](/v1/docs/text-messaging-sms-overview). This estimate reflects the character count, which treats merge fields as-is. That is, `{{Preferred}}` is counted as 13 characters, not the number of characters in the final, rendered name. So, if a recipient has a longer first name, and your overall message is near the segment limit, you might see messages that require an additional segment where others don't. These limits are set by the technical specification for SMS and aren't specific to Slate. > [!NOTE] > 💡 Slate Credits are used for both incoming and outgoing messages. ## Creating a new Slate Credit account By default, your database has one Slate Credit account, *Default Account*, under which all debits and credits fall. You can create any number of additional accounts to segment your spend. To create a Slate Credit account: 1. Go to **Database →** **Slate Credits.** 2. Select **New Account.** 3. Configure the following settings: - **Status:** Active - **Folder:** Select an existing folder, or select *Other*and enter a name to create a new one. - **Name:** Give the account an internal name. - **Export Value 1-5:**Enter up to five alternate values under which the Slate Credit account can appear as an export. - **Notes:**Add optional descriptive text to the account. 4. Select **Save.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/New Slate Credit account.png) ## The account overview page Select an account to get an overview, where you’ll find: - **Available Credits:**The number of Slate Credits available for use. If this is a negative number, you’ve used more credits than you’ve purchased. - **Add Credits:**Purchase Slate Credits as a block from a minimum of 100. - **Transfer Credits:**Move Slate Credits from one account to another. - **Account Ledger:** A list of debits (negative) and credits to the account, along with the *Service*used. Select **Customize View**to edit the query pulling in this data. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Slate Credit Account Overview Page.png) ## Adding Slate Credits to your account To add Slate Credits to an account: 1. Go to **Database → Slate Credits**. 2. Select a Slate Credit account. 3. Select **Add Credits.** 4. Select an amount. 5. Select a payment type. See [payment options](/v1/docs/slate-credits#payment-options) for more information. 6. Select **Submit**. Your available credits appear on the account’s overview page. ## Using Slate Credits - **For communications:**Slate Credits let you send and receive text messages, calls, and print mailings. Set up a phone number in [Database → Deliver Configuration](/v1/docs/purchasing-slate-credits-for-sms-print-and-voice). - **For Identity Verification:**You can use Slate Credits to [confirm applicants are who they say they are](/v1/docs/identity-verification). ## Transferring Slate Credits between accounts Once you’ve purchased Slate Credits for one account, you can transfer those credits to others. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Transfer Credits.png) 1. Select **Transfer Credits**. 2. Select a **Source Account**to disburse the credits (defaults to the current account). 3. Select a **Target Account**to receive the credits. 4. Enter a **Transfer Amount**. 1 Slate Credit = $1. 5. Select **Save.** ## Payment options Payment for Slate Credits can be made by credit card or by invoice for payment by corporate check. Payments must be made within 30 days of purchase. | | Credit Card | Invoice for Payment by Corporate Check | | --- | --- | --- | | **Requires** | - Card number - Expiration - CVC - Billing address information | - Contact name - Email - Institution - (Optional) Purchase order number | | **Availability** | Available within approximately one hour of payment clearing | - Once the request is received, the invoice will be sent to the contact as soon as it is generated - Credits purchased by invoice will be available once the check has been received by Technolutions | #### Can we add Slate Credits to our contract language? This is not possible. Applicable fees charged by third parties for the purchase of communications such as telephony, print products, postage and text messaging fall outside of your license agreement. The fees for these communications are subject to change at any time and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a license agreement. For this reason, we do not include these fees in our contracts. > [!CAUTION] > **🔔**Unused Slate Credits cannot be refunded.