How to Sign a PDF (Acrobat, Reader and Mac Preview)

Printing a document, signing it by hand and scanning it back in is a ritual nobody enjoys. You can sign a PDF on screen in a couple of minutes, and the signature you create can be reused next time. Here's how in Adobe Acrobat and Reader, how to turn your real handwriting into a signature, and how to do it on a Mac without installing anything.

Sign a PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Reader

1. Open the PDF you need to sign.
2. Click the Sign icon in the toolbar. You can also choose Tools then Fill & Sign, or pick Fill & Sign from the right-hand pane.
3. If the form has fields, hover over one. Acrobat detects them automatically and shows a blue box. Click inside it and type your text.
4. Click the Sign icon again and choose whether to add your full signature or just your initials.
5. Click Apply, then click the spot in the PDF where the signature belongs.
6. Save the document. Adobe says the signature and any text you typed become part of the PDF when you save.

The first time you sign, Acrobat asks how you'd like to create it. You can type your name and choose from a small set of signature styles, draw it with a mouse or touchscreen, or import a picture of your handwriting. Whatever you choose is saved for next time. If you're signed in and leave Save Signature ticked, Adobe stores it securely in Adobe Document Cloud so it's ready on your other devices.

Use your real handwriting

A typed signature in a script font looks fine on some documents and silly on others. If you'd prefer your real handwriting, Adobe gives a simple method:

• Sign your name in black ink on a clean sheet of white paper, in the middle of the page so you don't capture the edges.
• Photograph or scan it. If you use a camera, light the page well so no shadows fall across the signature.
• Move the image to your computer and import it when Acrobat asks. Acrobat and Reader accept JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, TIF and BMP files.

You don't have to crop it. Adobe says Acrobat imports just the signature if the photo or scan is fairly clean, which is the reason for the white paper and good light.

Move, resize or remove a signature

Once the signature is on the page, click it to highlight the field. Use the arrow keys to nudge it into place, and use the field toolbar to resize or delete it. That's the fix when your signature has landed on top of the printed line instead of resting on it.

Sign a document someone sent through Acrobat Sign

If the sender used Adobe's signing service, you'll get an email with a link to sign. If you use Acrobat or Reader on your computer, you'll also see a notification. Click Home, then All Agreements in the Sign section, and open the agreement marked Waiting For You. Fill in the requested fields, click the signature field and finish. That route is different from signing a plain PDF yourself because the sender gets a record of the signing.

Sign a PDF on a Mac with Preview

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Show the Markup toolbar and click the Sign button.
3. Create a signature. Choose Trackpad and sign with your finger, choose Camera and hold your signature on white paper level with the blue line, or choose Select Device to sign on a nearby iPhone or iPad.
4. Click Done, then drag the saved signature to the right place and use the handles to adjust the size.

Apple notes the iPhone or iPad method needs devices that meet Continuity requirements. And if you want to remove a saved signature later, open the Sign menu, hover over it and click the X. Apple says that deletes it from every app that uses Markup on your Mac, and from other Macs signed in to iCloud Drive.

Which route should you use?

Situation	Best route
A one-off form or letter on Windows or Mac	Acrobat or Reader, Fill & Sign
You sign documents often	Save your signature in Acrobat so it's ready next time
Sender asked you to sign through a link	Follow the Acrobat Sign email
Mac with no Adobe software	Preview, Markup toolbar, Sign

Before you send it back

Zoom in and check the signature isn't clipped, that your name matches the printed one and that the date is in the right place. If the PDF is a contract, don't flatten your signature to a picture and email it around. Send the signed file once, to the person who asked. If you're also turning your own content into PDFs, my guide to making a PDF from a blog post is a handy companion. My notes on email signatures cover the other kind of signature, the one at the bottom of your messages.

My verdict

Use Fill & Sign in Acrobat or Reader and save your signature the first time, so the next one takes seconds. Use a photo of real handwriting if the recipient will care, and Preview if you're on a Mac with nothing else installed. Save, reopen the file and check it before it goes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I sign a PDF?

Open it in Acrobat or Reader, click the Sign icon, add your signature or initials, click where it goes and save. On a Mac, use the Sign button in Preview's Markup toolbar.

Can I sign a PDF with my real handwriting?

Yes. Sign on white paper in black ink, photograph or scan it in good light and import it. Acrobat accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, TIF and BMP files.

Does Acrobat remember my signature?

Yes. Added signatures and initials are saved for future use, and with Save Signature ticked while signed in, Adobe stores it securely in Adobe Document Cloud.

How do I sign a PDF on a Mac without Acrobat?

Use Preview. Open the PDF, show the Markup toolbar, click Sign and create a signature with the trackpad, camera or an iPhone or iPad.

How do I sign a document sent through Acrobat Sign?

Use the link in the email, or in Acrobat or Reader click Home, then All Agreements, and open the agreement marked Waiting For You.