How to Make a Handwritten Signature Image for Your PDF

If redrawing your signature every time is a pain, it's worth making a clean one to reuse. There are really two ways: draw it on screen, or bring in one you wrote on paper.

Option 1. Draw it on screen

This is the fastest. In the PDF editor, pick the signature tool and draw with your mouse or finger. A touchscreen looks more natural than a mouse, and a mouse more than a trackpad.

One tip: it doesn't have to come out perfect on the first try. Undo it and redraw two or three times until you like the curve. Going slow actually makes it look shaky — draw it in one quick stroke, the way you would on paper.

Option 2. Bring in a paper signature

If you'd rather use the signature you already know:

1. Sign large on white paper with a dark pen.
2. Take a straight-on photo in good light, with no shadow across it.
3. In your photo app, push brightness and contrast up so the background goes white and the lines go dark.
4. Crop down to just the signature.

The image you get works like a stamp — you can drop it anywhere.

Which one is better

• In a hurry, one-time use: draw it on screen.
• An official signature you use often: make a good paper version once.

For most people, the first is plenty. The truth is the recipient mainly checks that the signature is clear.

Common questions

Do I need to make the white background transparent? If you're placing the signature in blank space or a signature box, a white background barely shows. If it overlaps text, a transparent background looks cleaner.

The signature goes in too big or too small. Drag a corner after placing it to resize.

Want to build your signature first? Open the editor and try drawing one in any blank spot.