How to sign a PDF without printing it
Updated 2026-10-25
Printing a contract to sign it and scanning it back is the slowest way to return a document. For most everyday paperwork — a tenancy form, a freelance agreement, a school consent slip — placing an image of your signature on the page is what the other side expects.
Step by step
- 1Open the document in Sign PDFChoose the PDF. It stays in your browser.
- 2Create your signatureDraw it with a finger or mouse, type your name and pick a handwriting style, or upload a photo of your signature on white paper.
- 3Place it and downloadDrag the signature to the signature line, resize it, and download the signed copy.
Is an image signature legally valid?
In the US (the ESIGN Act) and the EU (eIDAS), an electronic signature cannot be refused simply because it is electronic, and a signature image is a common form of one. Some documents — certain property transfers, wills, and anything the other party specifies — need a certified digital signature or a wet signature. If the sender asks for a particular signing service, use that. This is general information, not legal advice.
Filling in the rest of the form
If the document has form fields for your name, address or date, Fill PDF Forms types into them properly. For documents without fields, Edit PDF lets you add text anywhere on the page.
Questions
- Is my signature saved anywhere?
- No. It exists only in the page you have open and in the file you download. Close the tab and it is gone.
- Can I sign on my phone?
- Yes. Drawing with a finger on a phone screen usually gives a more natural signature than a mouse.
Your file stays on your device the whole time.
Also useful: Fill PDF Forms · Edit PDF · Protect PDF