A Detailed Guide To Add Signature to PDF

The authenticity and legitimacy of physical documents are often indicated by signature, but what if you need to verify your identification on documents online? Since the online authentication purview is replacing the manual document creations & affirmations. In such a case, you might need to add signature to PDF documents.

In this revolutionized age, electronic signatures are widely used across various sectors; whether it’s about signing a legal document or a business contract, you may need to add a signature to your PDF-based file. In this connection, here you will unearth how to add electronic signature to a PDF free by adopting some efficient strategies.

Part 1. How To Add Signature to PDF Document?

Different tools come up with varying signature insertion ways; although many users go for typing choice but, a signature can be added as an image too, and you can also draw the signature by exploiting the drawing tool. Therefore, to further illustrate the concept, we have incorporated the three best methods you can adopt if you don’t know how to insert a signature into a PDF document.

Method 1: Add Signatures in PDF Online Using HiPDF

In the apropos of efficient free online tools to add signature to PDFs, Wondershare HiPDF is the premier choice as it ensures a secure, fast, efficient user experience. HiPDF doesn’t require special permissions; you can simply access the tool from your web browser online without paying a penny. Therefore, the given step-by-step procedure will guide you on how to add signature in PDF online using HiPDF’s Sign PDF feature.

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Operational Steps:

• Step 1:Launch the “Sign PDF” tool of HiPDF by accessing its official website. 

• Step 2:To upload your PDF file, click the “CHOOSE FILE” option on the Sign PDF tool page.

• Step 3:Follow the “Sign > New Signature” path once the PDF is opened.

• Step 4:Type your name and click the “Create” button to add your digital signature to the PDF file. You can also add an image-based signature or opt for the “Draw” option to create a signature manually.

• Step 5:Resize and relocate the signature to a specific location in the file. Then click the “Apply” button to save changes.

• Step 6:Click the “Download” button to save the signed PDF file on your device.

Method 2: Insert Signatures to PDF Using PDFelement

The signing process turns out to be more convenient when performed offline since you don’t need an internet connection. Considering this favorable element, if you’re interested in learning how to add signature to PDF document offline, then you can opt for the PDFelement application that lets you readily insert signatures to your documents. Here is how it works:

Operational Steps:

• Step 1:Launch the “PDFelement” application on your system and login using the email address & password.
• Step 2:Click the “Open PDF” option from the left panel and open the PDF file.

• Step 3: To manually draw your signature on your PDF file, follow the path “Comment > Signature > Create.”

• Step 4: Here, navigate to the “Draw” option and draw your signature. Customize the signature by changing its color. Click “OK” to save it.

• Step 5:Now relocate the drawn signature on the desired location.

Method 3: Add Signatures to PDF Using Wondershare Document Cloud

Wondershare Document Cloud is another remarkable pick in the arena of online signing solutions. This cloud-based signing application saves your documents online, ensuring maximum accessibility. To facilitate your signing experience, here we have put forward a detailed depiction of how to insert signature in PDF using Document Cloud online.

Operational Steps:

• Step 1:Access the “Wondershare Document Cloud” tool online and log in with your credentials.
• Step 2:Navigate to the “Upload Files” option in the left panel to upload your PDF file on Document Cloud.

• Step 3:Once the file gets uploaded successfully, cancel the dialogue box and go to the “Your Documents” tab in the left panel.

• Step 4:Click the “Document” option below Your Documents tab and select the PDF file from the Document list. Click on the dotted icon and choose “Send for Signature” in the drop-down menu.

• Step 5:Checkmark the “Digital Signature” option and click the “Next” button to proceed.

• Step 6:Add the email addresses of all the signers either by directly entering or importing the “CSV” file. Set the signing order and choose whether you need to sign the document first or last. Click “Next”.

• Step 7:Add the fields to add Signature to the PDF and other required information by simply dragging & dropping. Proceed the process by clicking “Next.”

• Step 8:Now, you can type the message in the “Content” box to send your signers as an email. You can also implement access authentication for enhanced security.

Part 2. Real-life Scenarios To Insert Digital Signatures in PDF

Given the utmost convenience, users often prefer to sign electronically as it significantly eliminates the cost of signing a document physically and is also a time-saving approach. Since you can sign the documents remotely without needing to be physically present. In this context, you can explore a few real-life scenarios where adding signatures to PDF is highly efficacious.

Business Contracts

In businesses, electronic signatures are mostly used to express consent. For instance, if you run a business, you may need to send digital contract documents or agreements to other parties for approval. The administrator of the other company forwards your proposal to the relevant person to get the e-signature on the contract file. Then, the signed PDF-based contract is sent back to you.

Online Form Submission

You may often need to submit forms online for recruitment or educational purposes, so inserting electronic signatures becomes mandatory in such cases. Moreover, you may be requested to sign an application, so you must sign that PDF document electronically.

Promotional emails

Marketing or promotional emails are a great source of branding, and including a signature is considered a way to enhance the branding. Suppose you add electronic signatures to your files to be sent. In that case, it adds value to the message, elevates the clients’ trust, and indicates professionalism. Even if you send bulk emails, signature-inclusive emails leave a lasting impression on the recipient.

Part 3. FAQs

Q: How do I add a signature to a PDF?

A: You can add a signature to your PDF file in a few simple steps using HiPDF:

1. Access HiPDF's Sign PDF
2. Choose your PDF file.
3. Follow the path sign > New Signature > Apply.
4. Type your signature and Click Create.

Q: Can a PDF have two digital signatures?

A: Yes, you can add multiple signatures in a PDF file by adding multiple signature fields first.

Q: What are the benefits of electronic signatures?

A: Electronic signatures cut down the cost of signing the documents physically and prove to be quite time-saving as you can instantly sign your files without getting printouts.

Q: Is an electronic signature as legal as a paper signature?

A: Yes, electronic signatures are considered as legal as paper signatures because it doesn't make any difference in this regard if you choose to sign your files electronically.

Conclusion

Electronic signatures hold great significance at present because you may often be required to sign your documents or files online. Signing a Word document may seem easier, but the problem may arise if you’ve to sign a PDF file since PDF is considered a non-editable file format.

Therefore, we have attempted to address this concern and elaborated on how to add digital signature in PDFs by suggesting a few of the most effective approaches in this detailed guide.

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