Sign PDF
Print, sign, scan, email. It's a four-step ritual that wastes time, paper, and patience — especially when the document is already sitting on your screen. Our Sign PDF tool lets you draw a signature with your mouse or touchscreen, or upload an existing signature image, and place it precisely on any page. Resize, reposition, and download a signed PDF ready to submit — without ever touching a printer. All processing happens locally in your browser, so your unsigned documents and signature are never uploaded to a server.
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About this tool
Electronic signatures have become standard practice for everything from employment contracts to mortgage applications. This tool embeds your signature as an image layer directly onto the PDF page — it becomes part of the document, visible on any device and printable. You can create a signature in two ways: draw it freehand with your mouse, stylus, or finger (on a touchscreen), or upload a pre-made signature image (a transparent PNG works best). The tool stores nothing — your signature image stays in your browser's memory during the session and is discarded when you close the page. This means you can sign sensitive documents without worrying about your signature being stored on a third-party server.
How to use
- 1
Upload your PDF
Drag and drop the document you need to sign into the upload area. The tool shows page thumbnails so you can navigate to the exact page where the signature goes. Any standard PDF works — contracts, agreements, forms, letters, and applications.
- 2
Create your signature
Draw your signature freehand using your mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, or stylus. The drawing canvas is pressure-sensitive on supported devices. Alternatively, upload a pre-existing signature image — a transparent PNG with a scanned or photographed signature works best. You can adjust the signature size before placing it.
- 3
Navigate to the signing location
Use the page thumbnails to find the signature line or the area where you want the signature to appear. Multi-page documents are fully supported — you can place signatures on as many pages as needed, and each signature can be different.
- 4
Position and resize the signature
Click on the page to place your signature, then drag it to the exact position. Resize by dragging the corner handles. You can position it precisely over a signature line, next to your printed name, or anywhere else on the page. The signature is semi-transparent during placement so you can see the content beneath it.
- 5
Download your signed PDF
When the signature is positioned correctly, download the signed PDF. The signature is embedded as an image layer in the document — it stays with the file when shared, printed, or opened on any device. If you need to sign additional copies, simply upload the unsigned original again.
Common use cases
- Sign employment contracts, offer letters, and onboarding paperwork electronically.
- Approve purchase orders, invoices, and expense reports without printing.
- Add initials to specific sections, clauses, or pages of a legal document.
- Sign permission slips, medical forms, and school documents for your children.
- Create a reusable signature that you can apply consistently across multiple documents.
Tips & troubleshooting
- •For the cleanest signature, use a stylus or Apple Pencil on a tablet — the precision is much better than a mouse or finger.
- •Create a transparent PNG of your signature once and reuse it across all your document signing needs. Keep it stored securely on your device.
- •If you're signing on a phone, use landscape mode for a wider drawing canvas — it's easier to create a natural-looking signature with more horizontal space.
- •Place your signature slightly above or on the signature line, not below it — this matches the traditional paper signing position.
- •After signing, use the Protect tool to add a password if you're emailing the signed document to prevent unauthorized alterations.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electronic signature legally binding?
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in most jurisdictions for the vast majority of documents, including contracts, agreements, and forms. Laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS regulation establish their validity. However, for high-stakes documents like wills, certain family law matters, and specific court filings, consult local legal requirements. For most everyday documents — employment contracts, vendor agreements, permission slips — electronic signatures are widely accepted.
Can I use a scanned image of my physical signature?
Yes. Write your signature on blank white paper, take a photo or scan it, and upload it to the tool. A transparent PNG with your signature in dark ink on a white or transparent background produces the cleanest result. You can use image editing software to remove the background first for a more professional look.
Is my signature stored on your servers?
No. The signature you draw or upload stays entirely in your browser's memory. It is never transmitted to a server, stored in the cloud, or saved by us. When you close the browser tab, the signature data is gone. This makes the tool safe for signing documents with sensitive personal information.
Can I add text, dates, and checkmarks alongside my signature?
The Sign tool is focused on adding a signature image. For adding text like dates, printed names, or checkmarks, you can use other approaches: draw them as part of your signature image, or use a separate tool like the Watermark tool for text overlays. The Redact tool can also add filled boxes for checkmarks.
Does signing affect the original PDF quality?
No. The signature is added as an overlay layer without re-encoding or compressing the underlying document. All original text, images, formatting, and interactive elements remain intact. The only change to the PDF is the addition of your signature image where you placed it.
Related tools
Protect PDF
Password-protect your signed PDF before emailing it to prevent tampering.
Merge PDF
Combine your signed page with other supporting documents into one file.
Compress PDF
Reduce file size if your signed PDF is too large to email after adding signature images.
Unlock PDF
Remove password protection from a PDF before signing if the document is locked.