Insert signature in PDF - how it works

PDF files are an excellent format for documents. In this guide, we explain step by step how to insert a signature into a PDF.

Insert signature into PDF files using mouse or stylus

For example, PDF documents can be signed directly using a computer mouse or using a stylus:

1. Install the "PDF-XChange Viewer", which you can get from us free of charge.
2. Use this software to open the desired PDF file.
3. Under "Tools" -> "Annotations" -> "Pen" select the function "Show palette with annotation styles".
4. Here you can set the color, line thickness and opacity of the pen.
5. Now you can put your signature into the document using a computer mouse or touchpad. This works particularly well with touchscreens with a stylus.
6. Now you can save the PDF file and signature under »File« -> »Save as«.
7. Alternatively, you can get your handwriting digitized using the free Google handwriting input for Android.

Include scanned signature in PDF

If you prefer to sign on paper, you can also insert a scanned signature into a PDF. For Adobe Acrobat follow the extra instructions, with free software the following steps are necessary:

1. Sign a plain sheet of paper and scan your signature as an image file at 200 DPI.
2. You should make the background of the signature transparent with an image processing software like "GIMP". This practical tip explains how to do it.
3. Install the free program "PDFill PDF Tools".
4. Here you can use the "10. Convert PDF to Images" tool to convert the PDF file to be signed into a BMP, PNG or JPG file.
5. Enter 200 for "Image Resolution" and save the file with "Save as Image ...".
6. Open the converted image file in GIMP and insert the signature there.
7. Save the signed file as PDF again by going to »File« -> »Print«, selecting "PDFill PDF & ImageWriter" and confirming with "Print".
8. You can then select the path and file name of the PDF.

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As a Mac owner, follow these instructions for Mac OS X. Since such signatures do not collect biometric data and there is no "original" of the signed document, the legal validity of this signature is questionable. In other tips for dealing with PDF files, we show how to remove write protection from a PDF and how to print a protected PDF file.