How to insert image signature in PDF

You should sign some files in PDF format, but you just don’t feel like printing them, signing them by hand and scanning them and then sending them back to the recipients? Don’t worry: if you are trying to figure out how to insert image signature in PDF without having to do all the process just mentioned, know that I am here to help you achieve your goal.

If you have a graphic tablet, a touchpad or in any case a clear image with a transparent background of your handwritten signature, you can sign your PDFs directly from PC, smartphone and tablet in a very simple way: just use the right tools.

If you want to know which ones, keep reading: you can find them right below. First, however, I will make some necessary premise about the legal value of the signature affixed in the manner we are about to talk about. Happy reading and good work!

Index

• Preliminary information
• How to insert image signature in PDF from computer
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Windows / macOS)
  • Nitro PDF Pro (Windows)
  • Preview (macOS)
• How to insert image signature in PDF online
  • iLovePDF
  • Other solutions to insert image signature in PDF online
• How to insert image signature in PDF from smartphone and tablet
  • Adobe Fill & Sign (Android / iOS / iPadOS)
  • Other solutions to insert image signature in PDF from smartphones and tablets

Preliminary information

Before getting to the heart of the guide, going to explain how to insert image signature in PDF, there is some preliminary information about it that you need to know.

First, know that the image signature in PDF is the simplest type of electronic signature in existence. It can be created by scanning an image of your signature on paper, but also by drawing it with the mouse pointer, a trackpad or a graphics tablet. It has no intrinsic legal value (as it does not provide for the use of tools capable of guaranteeing the authenticity and integrity of the signed documents), so it is up to a judge to assess their authenticity, should it prove necessary.

On the other hand, the situation is different for the other types of electronic signature that exist. For example, there is the advanced electronic signature that is generated by means that allow to demonstrate the integrity of the document, over which the signer has direct and exclusive control (e.g. a tablet) and has a certain legal value, except that in real estate contracts.

Then there is the qualified electronic signature (or digital electronic signature ) which is one of the most advanced forms of electronic signature and is applied with qualified tools, such as the signature kits that are purchased from certification bodies, so it has full legal value. and certifies both the originality and the integrity of the signed documents.

The signature I will talk about today, I repeat, is the “simple” electronic one, with no intrinsic legal value. If, on the other hand, you are interested in qualified electronic signature, read my tutorial dedicated to the topic.

How to insert image signature in PDF from computer

Having made the necessary clarifications above, I would say that we can finally get to the heart of this guide. So, first of all, let’s find out how to insert image signature in PDF from a computer, both from Windows and from macOS. Find everything explained in detail below.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Windows / macOS)

If you are looking for a complete program for managing your PDFs, which has the possibility of inserting a digital signature within the file itself, then I recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. It is available for Windows and macOS and was created by Adobe, the company that developed the PDF format. It also allows you to make various changes to documents and basic is free, but some more advanced features are reserved for subscribers to the paid version, called Acrobat DC, which has prices starting from 18.29 euros/month (but you can try it for free for 7 days).

To download the program on your computer, visit its website and click on the Download Acrobat Reader button.

Once the download is complete, if you are using Windows, open the Acrobat Reader DC executable obtained and click on the Yes button in the window you see appear on the desktop. Then wait for the download of the components to make the software work to be completed and press the Finish button.

If you are using macOS, on the other hand, open the installation package obtained and double-click on the .pkg file that is in the window that is shown to you. Then, click on the Continue button (twice in a row), type the password of your user account on the Mac, click on the Install software button and complete the setup by pressing the Close button.

Now that, regardless of the operating system used, you see the program window on the screen, decide whether to set the software as the default reader for PDFs or not, then go to the File menu at the top left, then on the Open item attached to it and select the PDF you want to form.

At this point, click on the Fill and signature item located in the right sidebar, then on the Signature item located at the top and select the Add signature option from the proposed menu. Subsequently, choose whether to obtain the signature to be affixed to the document by loading the relative image, drawing it with the mouse pointer or typing it with the keyboard, adjust the relative settings and press the Apply button.

Finally, click in the point of the PDF where you want to insert the signature, resize it (if necessary) by moving the relative cursor and save the signed PDF by selecting the File menu at the top left and the item Save as to create a new file or on the one Save to overwrite the current document.

Nitro PDF Pro (Windows)

If you are using Windows, another great program you can rely on to insert image signature in PDF from your PC is Nitro PDF Pro. It is a PDF file reader characterized by a very intuitive user interface, which also includes various functions to create and edit PDFs and which also allows you to digitally sign the documents that are given “at meal”. It is paid (it costs 179.99 euros), but you can try it free for 14 days.

To download the trial version of the program on your PC, connect to its website and fill out the form on the left with the required data (name, surname and email address), then click on the Download Now button. On the page that opens, click on the Download Nitro PDF Pro (64 Bit) link (if you are using a 64-bit system ) or the Download Nitro PDF Pro (32 Bit) button (if you are still using a 32-bit system).

When the download is complete, open the Nitro PDF Pro executable you just obtained and remove the check from the boxes relating to the options to set the program as the default Windows PDF reader, to install the add-on for Internet Explorer and the toolbar for Office ( if these options don’t interest you), then click the Install, Yes and Finish buttons.

Then wait for the program to start and the relevant window above appears on the desktop, then open the PDF you need to sign by clicking on the Open item in the left sidebar and selecting the location and document of your interest.

After completing the above steps, click on the QuickSign button located in the toolbar at the top and choose, by clicking on the tabs on the left, whether to load your signature from an image, whether to draw it with the mouse pointer, whether to capture it using the webcam possibly connected to the PC or whether to type it with the keyboard, then use the fields on the right to configure the signature and press the OK button.

Finally, click on the point in the document where you want to insert the signature and save the changes by clicking on the File menu at the top left, then on the Save as item to create a new document or on the Save item to overwrite the current file.

Preview (macOS)

If you are using a Mac, to insert the image signature in PDF you can also decide to rely on Preview. This is the default macOS application for viewing and editing images and PDF documents, which also includes a special function that allows you to digitally sign documents in the format in question, which is why I chose to tell you about it in this guide.

To use Preview, first open the PDF you want to act on, right-clicking on it, selecting the Open with item from the menu that appears and the Preview one.

Once the document is displayed on the screen, click on the button with the pencil on the toolbar at the top and press on the button with the signature located a little further down.

Through the menu that opens, select the Trackpad tab to draw your signature on the computer trackpad and allow Preview to detect it or the Camera tab to write your signature on a sheet to be placed in front of the Mac camera and then allow macOS to locate its image. When you are done, click on the Finish button.

After creating the signature, to affix it to the document click on it from the appropriate menu that is shown on the button with the signature and move it to the place in the document you prefer. If necessary, you can also resize it by moving its sliders.

To save the changes made, all you have to do is click on the File menu at the top left and select the Save item from it.

How to insert image signature in PDF online

You don’t want or can’t download new programs on your computer and, therefore, would you like to understand if there is a way to insert image signature in PDF online? The answer is yes. There are, in fact, several Web services suitable for the purpose, which can be used directly from the browser window. Below you will find the ones that, in my opinion, represent the best in the category.

iLovePDF

iLovePDF is an excellent free online service that allows you to intervene on PDF documents by signing them, but also by dividing them, converting them and performing various other operations. Basically it is free and without registration, but it does not allow you to upload files with a weight greater than 100 MB. It is possible to circumvent this limitation by switching to one of the paid plans (with costs starting from 6 euros/month), which allow you to unlock other extra functions. As for the protection of privacy, the files uploaded to the service’s servers are removed within a few hours.

To use iLovePDF, go to its home page, click on the Select PDF file button and pick up the PDF to split from your computer. Alternatively, drag the file of your interest into the browser window. You can also choose to upload the document from your Google Drive or Dropbox account by clicking on the appropriate buttons.

Then wait for the PDF to be uploaded to the service, then press the Only me button and decide whether to create your signature by uploading the relevant scan, draw it with the mouse or type it using the computer keyboard, selecting the tab of your interest in the box that opens and adjusting its settings. Save the changes by clicking on the Apply button.

Then, drag your signature from the right sidebar to the place in the PDF where you want to put it. If you see fit, you can also resize it by moving its sliders.

To save the signed PDF, click on the Sign button located at the bottom right and wait for the final document to be processed and then downloaded to your computer. If the file download does not start automatically, you can force it by pressing the Download signed copy button. You can also decide to save the final file on Google Drive or Dropbox or to share it via URL, simply by clicking on the relevant buttons.

Other solutions to insert image signature in PDF online

Looking for other solutions to insert image signature in PDF from browser window? Then test the ones I’ve included in the list below.

• Sejda– online service that allows you to intervene on PDFs in various ways, even by signing them and which is very simple to use. It’s free and you can upload documents up to 50MB in weight and up to 200 pages. Note, however, that it is not possible to perform more than three operations per hour. User privacy is protected as files are automatically removed from the service’s servers after two hours.
• PDF24– this is an additional web service that allows you to sign PDF documents, as well as make various other changes to the type of documents in question. It’s free and super easy to use. It does not apply limitations regarding the maximum weight of the files and the number of documents on which you can act and protects the privacy of users by removing the files uploaded to its servers in the short term.
• PDF Candy– is an online service that allows you to act on PDFs in various ways: converting them, dividing them, lightening them, unlocking them, signing them, etc. It has no limitations regarding the maximum weight of the files and the privacy of the users is protected, since the documents uploaded to its servers are automatically removed within a few hours from the upload.

How to insert image signature in PDF from smartphone and tablet

You don’t have a computer at hand and, therefore, would you like me to explain how to insert image signature in PDF from smartphone and tablet? No sooner said than done! In fact, below you will find those that, in my opinion, represent the best apps useful for this purpose, available for both Android and iOS / iPadOS.

Adobe Fill & Sign (Android / iOS / iPadOS)

If you want to insert the image signature in PDF from mobile, I suggest you first contact the Adobe Fill & Sign app, which is available for both Android and iOS / iPadOS. It’s free, it was developed by Adobe (the same company that made Adobe Acrobat reader DC ) and allows you to fill in, sign and send PDFs quickly and easily.

To download and install the app on your device, proceed as follows: if you are using Android, visit the relevant section of the Play Store and press the Install button (if you are using a device that does not have the Play Store, you can download the app from alternative stores ); if you are using iOS / iPadOS, visit the relevant section of the App Store, press the Get button, then the Install button and authorize the download via Face ID, Touch ID or Apple ID password.

Then, start the app by selecting its icon added on the home screen and press the Continue button at the bottom. On the next screen, tap the (x) button located in the upper right corner to skip the registration phase and select the PDF to sign, by tapping the button with the sheet and the (+) symbol in the center or by opening the recent documents at the bottom of the screen.

Once the file is open, press the button with the fountain pen at the top and select Create signature from the menu that appears, draw your signature with your finger on the screen in the screen that is proposed to you later and press on the Finish item.

At this point, tap again on the button with the fountain pen, select the signature you just created from the menu that appears and it will be immediately added to the document. Then move it to the point you prefer and adjust its size (if necessary) using the appropriate slider you see appear.

Once the changes are completed, press the arrow icon located at the top left to return to the main screen of the app and overwrite the current file, or share it in other applications or locations by tapping the share icon located at the top To the right.

Other solutions to insert image signature in PDF from smartphones and tablets

Are you looking for other solutions for your smartphone or tablet through which you can insert the image signature in PDF? Then try the apps listed below. I hope they are able to satisfy you.

• SignEasy( Android / iOS / iPadOS ) – app that offers basic functionality to sign PDF documents imported from local files and to easily send them to other users. The first three documents can be signed for free, then you need to make in-app purchases (the base price is € 10.99) to unlock their operation.
• SignNow( Android / iOS / iPadOS ) – is an application that allows you to create custom signatures to be affixed to PDFs via an easy-to-use interface. It is free to download, but to use it you need to make in-app purchases (the base price is 2.99 euros).
• Files( iOS / iPadOS ) – perhaps not everyone knows this, but the default file manager of iPhone and iPad also integrates a PDF viewer that allows you to make simple changes to selected documents, as well as digitally sign them. Note that it is pre-installed on iOS / iPadOS (but if removed it can be downloaded again and for free from the App Store).