How to Sign a PDF Without Printing It (Free, Online)
You are sent a form that must be signed, and the usual advice is to print it, sign it by hand and scan it again. You do not have to. You can put your signature on the PDF directly, in a minute, from any device.
Know what kind of signature this is
There are two very different things people mean by "signing a PDF":
| Visible signature | Digital signature | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your signature as a picture or typed name placed on the page | A certificate-based cryptographic signature |
| Proves who signed | No | Yes |
| Detects later changes | No | Yes |
| What SnapPDF adds | This one | Not offered |
A visible signature carries the same weight as signing a printed form and scanning it. For many everyday forms, such as applications, permission slips, leave requests and simple agreements, that is exactly what the other side asks for. If a contract or a government process requires a certificate-based digital signature, use a qualified signing service for that.
How to sign a PDF
- Open the Sign PDF tool and add the PDF you need to sign.
- Make your signature in one of three ways:
- Draw it with your mouse, trackpad or finger.
- Upload a picture of your signature (PNG or JPG; an image with a transparent background looks cleanest).
- Type your name, which is written in an italic, handwriting style.
- Choose where to sign: the first page, the last page or all pages.
- Place the signature on the page by dragging a box where it should go, and set its width.
- Switch on add the date if you want it written underneath.
- Press the Sign PDF button and download the signed file.
Making a clean signature image
- Sign with a black or dark blue pen on plain white paper.
- Photograph it in good, even light, straight from above.
- Crop closely around the signature, and save it as a PNG.
- Keep it somewhere safe so you can reuse it.
Placing it correctly
Place the signature on or just above the signature line, not over printed text. After signing, look at the page to make sure it sits where it should and is not cut off. If it is too large or small, change the width and sign again.
Other things you may need before or after signing
- Fill in the form first: type into a flat form with Edit PDF (see our guide), or use PDF Forms if the form has real fields.
- Several pages to sign: merge separate documents into one first.
- Too big to email: shrink it with Compress PDF.
- Keep it private: add a password with Protect PDF.
Is my file safe?
Your file is encrypted in transit and at rest and deleted automatically, by default within 2 hours. See the privacy page.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a legally binding digital signature?
No. It places a visible signature on the page, the same weight as signing a printed form and scanning it. It has no certificate, so it cannot prove who signed or that the file was not changed afterwards.
Can I draw my signature?
Yes. You can draw it with your mouse or finger, upload a picture of your signature, or type your name.
Can I sign on every page?
Yes. Choose the first page, the last page or all pages, and place the signature where you want it.
Can I add the date?
Yes. Switch on the date option and it is written underneath the signature.