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Add Signature in PDF with Stamp, Image, Digital Sign and More

  author
Written By Andrew Jackson
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On May 6th, 2024
Reading Time 11 Minutes Reading

Summary: Searching how to add signature in PDF documents. Don’t worry, we have covered a step-by-step guide for you.

Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF) is well-known among users. So with that Adobe Acrobat XI application provides different options to sign PDF files using which users can eliminate the need to print, sign, and scan large and bulky documents. Additionally, Adobe Acrobat has also created a partnership with web services to accept the method of online signatures. Therefore, this section is meant for those users who are keen to know about reliable ways to affix digital signature stamp or image in Adobe PDF files.

Users Queries

“I have some PDF Files with me that need my signature stamp. I am looking for an easy and efficient solution to add picture of signature in PDF.”

“I want to insert a customized stamp signature into Adobe PDF document, can you tell me a way I can do it without using Acrobat”

Types of Signatures or Stamps

Acrobat application has multiple options for users to sign a PDF file, while applying some of them requires a bit of pre-planning or others can be added automatically on the fly.

Typed Signatures – This preference allows the user to type their name or initials directly into the PDF file. Also, they can select the font style and other formatting.

Scanned Signatures – The handwritten signature that is saved as an image file (typically JPEG) can be inserted into the PDF file as a scanned signature.

Predefined Stamps – Acrobat offers a variety of predefined stamps, such as signatures, graphics, and symbols. This enables a plethora of choices for users to add signature in PDF files.

Custom Stamps – Users can also personalize the stamps per their requirements, including their signature, logo, or any other graphic.

Photo Signatures – Besides this, users can insert their image into the PDF file as a signature, adding a personal touch to documents.

How to Add Signature in PDF Files in Adobe Acrobat Reader?

In this section, you will come to know how to create a custom signature by typing the text, inserting date & time, drawing it, or uploading an image. After you have successfully set up your signature, you can easily apply it in different PDF documents.

Make sure to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader from their official website – https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Before stepping into how to add digital sign or esign. Let’s first find or create a space within the PDF where you or someone else can affix their signature. Now, follow the general steps to add a digital signature block to a PDF for someone else to sign:

  • Go to the “Tools” menu to insert an electronic signature in the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.
  • Next, choose the area where you want to include the sign. This can be the end of the document or whenever you like.
  • Here, you can customize the appearance of the signature block like its size, position, and any other related text (e.g., “Sign Here“).
  • Once you are done with changes, save the PDF.
  • Now, you can share the modified PDF file with the person who needs to put the sign on it.

After creating a signature block. Now, you can sign there or somewhere else as per your need.

So, without any further delay, let’s jump in:

#Way 1. Signature Creation:

  • Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Click on “Sign” in the top toolbar.
  • Select “Add Signature”.
  • Create Your Signature:
  • A pop-up window will appear with options:
    • Type: Type your name as a signature.
    • Draw: Use your mouse or touchpad to draw an electronic signature.
    • Image: Upload an image of your signature.
  • Once completed, tap on “Apply” to add the signature to the PDF.

# Way 2. Custom Stamp Creation to Create Signature Stamp in Adobe

  • Click on “Tools” → “Commenting” → “Show Commenting Toolbar”.

To Add Signature in PDF go to tools --> commenting --> show commenting toolbar

  • From the “Commenting Toolbar”, click the down arrow (⬇) and choose “Create Custom Stamp”.

Tap on create custom stamp

  • Browse your system’s hard drive to locate the saved signature file.
  • Provide a category name and file name, then click “OK”.

Click on "File" text box

Provide a category name and name for the file and click on OK to proceed further.

Tap on OK

Using the Custom Stamp:

  • To insert the signature into a PDF file, select the down arrow from the Commenting Toolbar.
  • Choose “Create Custom Stamp” from the options.
  • Select the category name you provided for your signature.
  • Click “Stamp” to add the signature to the PDF.

Tap on Stamp

This process will make the stamp active and desirably you can move it into a PDF document. After selecting the location for adding signature in PDF file, click on the left mouse button to insert signature.

To insert the signature in a PDF file, open Adobe Acrobat, go to FilePrint → select Adobe PDF as printer option. Select the Documents and Stamps option and proceed further by clicking on OK. And resolute signature will be embedded into the document.

Go to File --> Print

How to Add Signature in PDF in Google Chrome Without Adobe Pro?

Apply the signature or image stamp in PDF document using the Google Chrome features. Let’s explore the steps:

  • First, log in to your Google Drive and open it.
  • Tap on the New and pick the File Upload option to locate and add the PDF file where you need to sign.
  • Right-click on the particular file and navigate to Open with Google Docs.
  • In the Google Docs window, click Insert. After that, go to Drawingcreate a new drawing.
  • Next, press on the Line icon and opt the Scribble to create your own signature.
  • Save and close the drawing.
  • Now, adjust the image size and coordinates accordingly.

Remember that the more complex the PDF is the less is the chance of its successful conversion into Google Docs.

How to Add Digital Signature/ Image Stamp in Adobe File through Microsoft Edge?

Follow the steps to include the digital signature stamp on your PDF using Mircosoft Edge:

  • Open your PDF document where you want to add the sign in Microsoft Edge.
  • Tap on the Draw icon available in the top navigation section.
  • Next, pick the color and thickness of your signature pen.
  • Place the pen within the PDF file where you want to add your signature.
  • It is preferred to use the mouse, touchscreen, or trackpad to draw your handwritten signature.
  • Lastly, click on the Save button to save the signed PDF document with your signature stamp.

Alternative: Using an Add-On (Digital Signature for PDF Files):

  • Launch Microsoft Edge.
  • Click on Extensions. Go to the Edge Add-ons page.
  • Search for and install the Digital Signature for PDF Files.

Extra Info: Steps to validate the digital signature in Microsoft Edge

  • Open Microsoft Edge.
  • In a new tab, type edge://flags in the address bar and press Enter.
  • Search for the “Enable Digital Signature for PDF” item.
  • Open that flag and toggle it to “Enable”.
  • Edge will prompt you to relaunch the browser; click “Restart”.
  • Now, digitally signed PDFs will display their signatures in Edge, and you can validate those signatures as well.

View and Validate Signatures:

  • Locate the PDF file on your system.
  • Right-click on the PDF file and navigate to “Open with”.
  • Select “Microsoft Edge” from the dropdown to open the PDF in the browser.
  • When the PDF appears in Edge, you’ll see a message indicating that the document is digitally signed, along with any invalid signatures.
  • Click “View signatures” to see the details.
  • You can validate the signature by tapping the “Validate” option.
  • If validation isn’t available, use the “Properties” option to manually verify the signature.

Remember that while this feature isn’t directly available in the standard Microsoft Edge, it’s available in the Microsoft Edge Canary version.

How Do I Add Multiple Digital Signatures Blocks Using MS Word?

In this section, we will learn the approach to add multiple digital or electronic signature to a PDF document using Microsoft Word (.docx). Microsoft Word doesn’t directly support to insert stamps. Rather, it is primarily used for creating and editing .doc/.docx files. However, you can indirectly achieve this by following the step-by-step guide below:

  • Launch the Microsoft Word application. Next, go to FileOpen to select the PDF file you want to add a signature or image stamp.
  • Next, Word will try to configure the PDF and convert it into editable form.
  • If your signature is digital, insert it into the Word doc: Go to InsertPictures, and place it where needed.
  • Resize and position the signature within the document as required.
  • Save the document as a PDF: Go to FileSave As, choose location, and select “PDF” as a format.

Shortcomings in the Manual Steps to Add time/ image/ text Stamp in PDF

Expensive – The purchase package of Adobe Acrobat program is not budget-friendly for most of the users. Thus, making it the go-to choice for only high-profile business man or corporate users.

Time taking – To insert signature in PDF files, the user has to invest of lot of time. Moreover, this method may alter the contents of a PDF file by making changes to the size of the PDF file.

The integrity of original PDF file content is under threat of loss, the data saved within PDF files is not safe as adding signatures may hamper formatting of PDF files data.

Only selective options are provided for users to add signature in PDF files in this method whereas adopting external applications may render better facilities to include stamp signatures or images in PDF documents.

Add Signature Image or Stamp in PDF without Adobe – Professional Move

The perfect resource for most users to insert multiple images, text, or stamp signature sticker in PDF is the SysTools PDF Watermark tool. The tool can affix pictures or stamp signatures in PDF files without affecting Meta contents and formatting of PDF file data. The interface designed for the tool is simple to operate and even a novice user can easily execute the process to apply the required sign in PDF files without any hassles.

The software can easily process all types of image formats such as JPEG, PNG, or any other format. Moreover, the tool has the option to either add text as a signature or an image as a signature on PDF files in bulk mode along with the option to change its font, color, size, and placement.

Download Now Purchase Now

Steps to Add Signature in PDF With Image/ text/ digital sign stamp Support

Install and run the PDF Signature Creator tool.

Open tool to add signature to pdf

Click on the Add Files or Add Folder option as per your needs.

click on Add Files or Add Folders option

Use the Change button to alter the saving location of the PDF files.

tap on Change

After that, tap on the Next button.

Hit on Next button

In the Details pane, you will get 3 Item types i.e. Text Watermark, Image Watermark, and Date & Time Watermark.

Choose type of Watermark

Lastly, once you are satisfied with the selection and inputs. Hit on the Generate tab to apply signature of any type to Adobe files.

click on Generate option

Final Takeaway

In this write-up, we have covered the 3 approaches to add signature in PDF files. No doubt, the manual or freeways are easy to find. However, found to be costly and less likely to be purchased by a common man. As a result, we suggest you use the automated utility to include the signature of any format like digital stamp, text, image, or any other in your PDF documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the Steps to add a signature in PDF XChange?

Ans. By using the PDF-XChange Editor,  you can simply apply the signature for Free in PDF XChange:

  • Open the PDF document you want to sign in PDF-XChange Editor.
  • Click on the “Annotations” tab at the top.
  • In the Annotations toolbar, click the “Stamp Tool” icon. This opens the Stamp palette.
  • In the Stamp palette, click the “Create New Stamp” icon (looks like a paper with a plus sign).
  • This opens the Stamp Dialog box. Click the “Image” tab.
  • Click the “Load Image from File” button and browse to select an image file of your signature.
  • Once the signature image is loaded, click “OK” to create the new stamp.
  • The signature stamp will now be in your stamp palette. Drag and drop it onto the document where you want to place the signature.
  • You can resize and reposition the signature stamp by clicking and dragging the nodes around the stamp.
  • When satisfied with the placement, you can click “Save” to finalize the signed PDF document.
  author

By Andrew Jackson

I am SQL DBA and SQL Server blogger too. I like to share about SQL Server and the problems related to it as well as their solution and also I do handle database related user queries, server or database maintenance, database management, etc. I love to share my knowledge with SQL Geeks.