Someone may send you a PDF file via email and require you to sign it before sending it back. While you could always print the document, sign it in hardcopy, and then scan it, this is time-consuming and will use a lot of resources. A better alternative would be to electronically sign a PDF. In this article, you will learn how to esign a PDF with or without a PDF tool.

Is There Any Difference Between Digital and Electronic Signatures?

In thisarticle, we will focus on electronic signatures, not on digital signatures.Compared to the electronic signatures, the digital signature is entirelydifferent.

Digitalsignatures are cryptographically secure – they verify that someone who has yourprivate signing key (this should be you) has already seen the document andauthorized it. Being secure, digital signatures are more complicated.

Theelectronic signature is just an image of the signature that you overlay overthe PDF document. Adding an electronic signature to a PDF file is generallymuch easier – you can use a wide range of applications.

Electronically Sign a PDF Using Adobe Reader

While other third-partytools may offer you the ability to sign your documents, the tools will probablyforce you to invest in a paid version so that you can have the ability to signyour document. With adobe reader, you should be able to sign your PDF for free.Below, we have the steps you will need to follow:

Step 1: Open the file in theAdobe Acrobat Reader DC application.

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Step 2: On the right pane, hitthe Fill & Sign option.

Step 3: On the toolbar, hitthe Sign button and then choose Add Signature.

• PDFelement for Mac is a PDF solution that integrates with a variety of.
• The signature will be added to the PDF and you can now send it along. You can come back to the Signature menu and select your signature to add it to a PDF. (There’s no need to sign again.) How to Sign PDFs on Mac. On your Mac, you can simply use the built-in Preview app to sign PDFs.

Step 4: After creating the signature, hit the Applybutton. This will apply the signature to the document.

Note: To quickly add the signature to future documents, put acheckmark on Save Signature.

Step 5: Position the signature where you would want itto appear.

Step 6: To save the signed PDF file, hit the Fileoption on the top-left corner, select Save, and then choose a location on yourhard disk where you would like to save the document.

Note: You can use Adobe Reader on both Mac and Windows PC.

Insert a Signature Into a PDF on Mac

Mac users are basically luckier, compared to the Windows users – they can use the Preview feature to sign their PDF documents.

Tolearn how to esign a PDF on Mac using the Preview option, you will need tofollow the simple steps we have outlined below:

Step 1: On your Mac, launch your PDF file in the Preview.

Step 2: Hit the Show Markup Toolbar button – thisshould look like a toolbox.

Step 3: Next, hit the sign button on the toolbar thatappears.

Step 4: Your Mac will prompt you to either track yourfinger on the trackpad to create a signature or sign on a paper and then scanthe signature using the webcam. After capturing the signature, the Previewfeature will remember it in the future.

Step 5: Select the signature from the menu that showsafter you hit the Sign button. The signature will be applied as an image. Youcan drag it around and even resize it to fit the document ideally.

Step 6: After you are done with signing the PDF file,hit the File option and then select the Save option to save the signed document.Alternatively, to create a duplicate of the PDF document and save the changesinto a new file, you will need to select File > Duplicate. If you use theDuplicate option, the new copy will be modified, instead of the originalone.

How to Esign a PDF on iPad and iPhone?

Use the Mail Option

On your iPhone and iPad, you can easily sign your documents using the Markup feature available in the iOS mail application.

This feature is quite convenient. However, it will only work if your goal is to sign the documents in the Mail application. To give you an example, you could have been emailed the PDF document and you may want to sign it and then email it back immediately.

Toelectronically sign a PDF using the Mail application on iPad and iPhone, youwill need to follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Open the attached PDF on the mail, tap on the pen icon on the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2: Tap the signature button to add your signature.If you like, you can also draw on the document or type text.

Step 3: When you are done with adding the signature, hit the Done button.

Use the Adobe Fill & Sign Application

The Mail app is quite limiting – you can only use it with email documents. If you would like more flexibility when it comes to signing documents on your iPhone or iPad, you will need to use Adobe Fill & Sign application. The application is 100% free and you can get it on the App Store.

You cansign a document by drawing on your screen using a stylus or your finger. You canalso type into a PDF document to fill it. Below, we will show you the steps youwill need to follow to insert a signature into a PDF using the Adobe Fill &Sign application:

Step 1: To get a PDF file from a different app (say anAdobe Reader) into Adobe Fill & Sign, locate the file and then hit theShare button. From the dialogue that appears, select Adobe Fill & Signapplication.

Step 2: To sign the document, choose the signaturebutton.

Step 3: Once you are done, hit the Share button withinthe Adobe fill & Sign application to send the already signed document to adifferent application.

Note: Adobe Fill & Sign application is also available onGoogle Play Store. If you would like to sign documents on a device running onAndroid, you can download the app and install it on your Android phone ortablet. To sign a PDF on your Android device, you will need to follow stepssimilar to the ones we have outlined above.

How to Sign a PDF in Microsoft Edge

In theWindows 10 Fall Creators Update, Microsoft Edge makes it possible for you tofill and sign PDF documents electronically. Below, we will show you how toesign a PDF using Microsoft Edge:

Step 1: Locate the PDF file you would like to sign onyour computer and right-click on it.

Step 2: Go to “Open with” on the menu that appears andthen select Microsoft Edge.

Note: If Microsoft Edge is your default PDF viewer, you will justneed to double-click the PDF file.

Step 3: If the file appears too small, you canuse the plus icon (+) available at the top to enlarge it.

Step 4: To sign the document, tap the pencil icon,available at the top right.

Step 5: Tap on the ballpoint pen icon and then choosethe ideal font color and the size for the signature.

Step 6: Draw the signature in the signature field. Todo this, you will need to just right-click, hold, and then draw.

Note:

• If the drawing fails to work, you will need to tap the Touch Writing – this should be available on the top-right.
• If the signature is not as impressive as you would want, tap the eraser icon available on the top right. Next, tap on the signature to erase it.

Step 7: After you are done with the signature, you canright-click on the PDF file, select Save As, choose the location where youwould want to save the document and then hit the Save button.

Esign a PDF Using Nitro PDF Reader

Forthis method to offer ideal results, you may need to make a copy of the PDF fileyou would like to sign. After making a copy, follow the steps below to learnhow to electronically sign a PDF:

Step 1: Open the Nitro PDF Reader. If you haven’tinstalled the application, install it first.

Step 2: On the top left, hit the File option >Computer > Browse. Go to the location where you have stored the PDF documentcopy (copy of the document you intend to sign).

Step 3: After selecting the document, hit Open. Next tothe File option at the top of the page, hit the Home button.

Step 4: Select the QuickSign option on the toolbar. Onthe Create New Signature that appears, you will need to do the following:

• Handwritten – this allows you to type the signature.
• From File – This allows you to use an image featuring your signature.
• Draw – This will allow you to draw the signature.

Step 5: After creating the signature Hit OK.

Step 6: Drag the signature to the signature field andthen hit Apply. Next, click OK.

Step 7: The moment you are finished with signing thedocument, hit File and then choose Save as to save the document on yourpreferred location.

Summary

If you have to esign a PDF file, you can use the solutions outlined in this article. The majority of the solutions are 100% free. This means that printing the document, signing it manually, and then scanning it will be a waste of both resources and time.

When you receive a PDF file that you need to send back electronically, you can follow one of two paths. The old school way of doing it includes printing, signing, and scanning the document. It’s not such a problematic process when you have the equipment and the time to do it. However, you can follow the more eco-friendly and less time consuming path by signing the PDF electronically.

You can use the built-in tool or a third-party app to sign a PDF on a Mac. Have a look at our short guide and choose the option that suits your needs best.

Use Preview to Sign a PDF on Mac

If you’re used to working with Word documents, signing a PDF file might seem more complicated than it needs to be. The good news is, your Mac is equipped with a built-in tool called Preview that you can use to sign PDF documents. This method has more than one advantage:

• The process of signing a PDF in Preview is simple and doesn’t require too much time and effort.
• Once you add your signature, it’s automatically saved in the iCloud Drive. You can then use it in Preview again on any device you’ve signed in with your Apple ID.
• You don’t need to download and install new software or create new accounts.

In Preview, you can either use your Trackpad or camera to sign a PDF document. Learn how to do both by following the steps below.

Add a Signature Using Your Mac’s Trackpad

1. Open the PDF in Preview. Your Mac will automatically open a PDF file in Preview, so you can either double-click the document or right-click it and select Open With > Preview.

2. Select Show Markup Toolbar.

Sign Pdf For Free Mac

3. Select Signature.

4. In the Trackpad window, select Click Here to Begin. Then use the Trackpad to draw your signature. Bear in mind that every movement you make on the Trackpad after you press the button will become a part of your digital signature. If you’re not happy with the result, select Clear and try again.

5. When you’re finished, press any key and select Done.

Once you create your digital signature, you can drag and drop it anywhere in the document. You can add as many variations of your signature as you like and they will all be saved in Preview for later use.

Sign a PDF on Mac Using Camera

If you don’t want to use the Trackpad to draw your signature or don’t like the look of it, you can use your Mac’s camera to sign a PDF in Preview.

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.

2. Select Show Markup Toolbar.

3. Select Signature.

4. Open Camera window. Draw your signature on a piece of paper and hold it up to the camera.

5. When Preview recognizes your signature, select Done to save it. After you save the signature, you can drag and drop it anywhere in the PDF file.

If you don’t want to store your signature in Preview, hover over it and select the X to delete it permanently.

Sign a PDF In Adobe Acrobat Reader

If you’re looking for more functionality like being able to edit other components of a PDF file aside from just signing it, you can use a universal PDF application like Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download and use it for free on both PC and Mac.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one PDF software, Adobe Acrobat Reader should be your go-to app whenever you need to view, comment, edit, sign, or print a PDF document. Here’s how to use this app to sign a PDF file.

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Since your Mac’s default application for viewing PDF files is Preview, use the right-click method to open the document in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

2. Select Sign document by typing or drawing a signature. Alternatively, go to the Tools tab and select Fill & Sign.

3. Select to Add Signature or Add Initials depending on what’s required in your document.

4. In the next window you have an option to Type your signature, to Draw it, or to add it as Image. If you choose the Type option, you can also select the look of your signature from the Change style drop-down menu.

5. When you’re happy with the result, select Apply.

You can now place your signature anywhere in the PDF file. You can add as many versions of your signature as you like. If you don’t want Adobe Acrobat Reader to store your signature, select Sign and delete it by pressing the Minus next to your signature.

Use PDFfiller To Sign a PDF File Online

If you’re looking to combine the best from both worlds, i.e. get the maximum functionality without having to waste time downloading and installing new software, give PDFfiller a go. This free online tool provides you with full PDF editing functionality while also saving you a tremendous amount of time and money.

To sign a PDF using PDFfiller, follow the steps below.

1. Go to the PDFfiller website.

2. Drag and Drop a PDF file to open it. You also have an option to access your PDF using the document’s URL.

3. From the PDFfiller’s ribbon menu, select Sign.

4. In the Signature Wizard window you have a selection of tools that you can use to create your signature. Select to Type or Draw your signature, Capture Signature using your Mac’s camera, or Upload Signature from your computer.

5. After you save your signature, you can place it anywhere in the document. You can later edit or delete your saved signature in the Sign menu.

What’s the Best Way To Sign a PDF On Mac?

Choosing the best tool for signing PDF files is entirely up to you. Depending on your requirements and preferred methods, you might choose to use your Mac’s built-in tools or download a full-blown PDF editor to get access to extra features.

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Did you ever need to sign a PDF document on Mac? Which method or tool did you use? Share your experience with editing PDF files in the comments below.