How to Sign a PDF Without Printing It
Sign PDF contracts and forms without printing or scanning: draw or type your signature and place it on the page. Free, private, on phone or PC.
Printing a document just to sign it, then scanning it back in, wastes paper and makes an ugly, crooked file. You can sign a PDF on your computer or phone in a minute.
Sign a PDF in your browser
- Open Sign PDF and choose the document.
- Draw your signature with a mouse, trackpad or finger, or type your name and choose a handwriting style.
- Click "Place signature on page", drag it onto the signature line and resize it with the corner handle.
- Go to other pages if you need to initial them, add today's date, then save.
The document never leaves your device. That's important for contracts, tenancy agreements and medical forms, which you shouldn't upload to random websites.
Tips for a better signature
- Draw slowly and large in the pad: it's trimmed and scaled down when placed, so it stays sharp.
- Use blue ink for documents where an "original" signature is expected; it makes it obvious which copy was signed.
- Save your signed PDF with a new name so you keep the unsigned original.
Is a drawn signature legally valid?
In the US (ESIGN Act), the UK and the EU (eIDAS, as a "simple electronic signature"), a drawn or typed signature is generally valid for everyday agreements such as rental contracts, permission slips, invoices and HR forms. Some documents require more: property deeds, wills and certain government forms may need a wet-ink signature or a certified digital signature. If in doubt, ask whoever is receiving the document.
Before you send it
PDFs often contain the author's name and the software used. Run the signed file through the PDF metadata remover if you don't want that shared, and use Compress PDF if it's too big to email.