What Is PDF eSigning?
PDF eSigning is the process of adding an electronic signature to a PDF document. An electronic signature is any visual mark — handwritten, typed, or an uploaded image — that represents your intent to sign. It's legally recognized in most countries under laws like the US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS regulation.
How to Use This Tool
- Upload a PDF — drag and drop, or click to browse.
- Create your signature — draw with your mouse or finger, type your name, or upload an image.
- Click "Use This Signature" — the signature becomes a floating element you can position.
- Click on the PDF where you want the signature to appear.
- Drag to move, drag the corner to resize.
- Repeat for additional signatures or additional pages.
- Click "Save Signed PDF" — the signed PDF downloads automatically.
Three Ways to Create a Signature
- Draw — Draw with a mouse, trackpad, stylus, or finger. Use the color picker and pen size slider to control the look.
- Type — Type your name and pick from 8 handwriting-style fonts. The typed text becomes a signature image.
- Upload — Have a pre-made signature image? Upload a PNG, JPG, or any image format. Transparent PNGs work best.
Placing and Adjusting Signatures
- Place — Once you have a signature ready, click anywhere on the PDF preview to place it.
- Move — Drag a placed signature to reposition it.
- Resize — Drag the bottom-right corner handle to change its size.
- Select — Click on a signature to select it. Selected signatures show handles.
- Delete — Click the ✕ button on a signature to remove it.
Multi-Page Signing
Use the page navigation arrows to move between pages. Any signature you place is stored per-page — so you can sign page 1, navigate to page 3, and add another signature there. When you save, all signatures are embedded in their correct positions on their respective pages.
Common Use Cases
- Contracts and agreements — sign agreements without printing and scanning.
- Invoices — authorize payment approvals with a signature.
- Forms — complete and sign government or business forms.
- Letters and notices — add a personal signature to formal communications.
- Leases — sign rental agreements electronically.
- NDAs — quickly sign non-disclosure agreements.
- Approvals — sign off on reports, budget requests, or purchase orders.
Signature Quality Tips
- Use a stylus or finger on a touchscreen for the most natural signature.
- Draw larger than you need — it's easier to scale down than up.
- Use black ink for the most professional look (unless your PDF has a dark background).
- Upload transparent PNGs — they blend seamlessly with the PDF background.
- Check placement carefully — make sure signatures don't cover important text.
Is This Legal?
Electronic signatures created with this tool are typically legally valid under:
- US ESIGN Act (2000) — Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
- US UETA — Uniform Electronic Transactions Act
- EU eIDAS (2016) — Electronic Identification and Trust Services regulation
- Similar laws in the UK, Canada, Australia, and most countries
However, this tool creates a simple electronic signature (SES). Some situations require more:
- Advanced electronic signatures (AES) — uniquely linked to the signer, tamper-evident
- Qualified electronic signatures (QES) — backed by a government-recognized certificate authority
- Wills, trusts, and certain court documents — often require wet signatures or notarization
- Some real estate and mortgage documents — may require notarization
For most everyday documents, a simple electronic signature is sufficient. When in doubt, ask the recipient or a lawyer.
What This Tool Does Not Do
- Cryptographic signing — it adds a visual signature, not a digital certificate.
- Audit trail — no record of who signed when.
- Timestamping — no trusted timestamp is embedded.
- Tamper detection — the PDF can be edited after signing without invalidating anything.
For applications that require verified identity and tamper resistance, use a dedicated e-signature service like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or HelloSign.
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Privacy Note
Everything runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Your PDF and your signature never leave your device. Close the tab and everything is gone.