How to sign a PDF without printing it
Updated · PDF Converter
Printing a document just to sign it, scanning it and emailing it back takes far longer than it should. With Sign PDF you can add your signature, the date and your initials to a lease, a permission slip or a contract in a couple of minutes – on a computer or on a phone – and nothing is uploaded.
Sign a PDF step by step
- Open Sign PDF and choose the PDF you need to sign.
- Click Signature in the toolbar. A window opens where you create your signature (see the three options below). Press Use signature.
- Click on the page where the signature should go. Drag it into place and drag the corner handle to make it bigger or smaller.
- Click Date and then on the page to add today’s date, or use Text to add your printed name or initials. Click the text to change it.
- Use the arrows above the page to go to other pages and sign there too.
- Press Save signed PDF and download the result.
Placed something in the wrong spot? Select it and press Delete, or drag it somewhere else.
Three ways to create your signature
- Draw – sign with your mouse, trackpad or, on a phone or tablet, your finger. Choose one of the ink colours and press Clear to start over.
- Type – type your name and it is shown in a signature-style font. Press Change style to switch between the available styles.
- Upload – photograph your signature on white paper and upload the picture. The white background is removed automatically, so only the ink appears on the page.
Tip: for the most natural result, sign on a clean sheet of white paper with a dark pen, take a photo in good light, and use the Upload option.
Fill in the form before signing
Many documents that need a signature also have fields to complete. If the PDF is a fillable form, open it in Fill PDF Form first. It lists all the text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns and radio buttons as a simple form. Fill them in, save, and then sign the completed file. Tick Flatten after filling if the answers should no longer be editable.
If the PDF has no fillable fields – a scanned form, for example – Fill PDF Form tells you so. Use Edit PDF to type your answers on top of the page instead, or simply use the Text tool in Sign PDF.
Electronic signature vs. digital signature
It helps to know what kind of signature you are adding. Sign PDF adds a visible electronic signature: an image of your signature placed on the page. It is not a certificate-based digital signature, which cryptographically proves who signed and that the file has not changed since. Some regulated processes require that kind of signature.
In many countries – for example under the US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS regulation – simple electronic signatures can be valid for many everyday agreements. Some documents need advanced or qualified signatures, so if you are unsure, check what the recipient or the law requires for your document.
After signing
- To lock remaining form fields so they cannot be changed, use Flatten PDF.
- To send the signed document securely, add a password with Protect PDF and share the password separately.
Is my signature stored anywhere?
No. Signing runs in your browser. Your document and your signature stay on your device, and the signature is discarded when you leave the page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sign a PDF on my phone?
Open Sign PDF in your mobile browser, choose the file, tap Signature and draw with your finger. Then tap the page to place it and save the signed PDF.
Is a signature added this way legally binding?
Simple electronic signatures can be valid for many agreements in many countries, including under the US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS regulation. Some documents require advanced, qualified or certificate-based digital signatures – check the requirements for yours.
Can I sign a PDF without printing and scanning it?
Yes. Create your signature in the browser, place it on the page and download the signed file. No printer or scanner is needed.