Why sign a PDF digitally?
Printing, signing by hand, and scanning back to PDF is slow, wastes paper, and requires a printer you may not always have access to. A digital signature embedded directly into a PDF is just as legally valid for most purposes and takes a fraction of the time. It's the standard approach for contracts, agreements, consent forms, and approval workflows.
3 ways to create your signature
PDFKing gives you three methods — use whichever suits you:
- Draw — use your mouse, trackpad, or finger on a touchscreen to draw your actual handwritten signature on a canvas.
- Type — type your name and choose from three cursive fonts. Quick and clean for typed agreements.
- Upload — photograph or scan your existing handwritten signature on white paper, crop it, and upload as a PNG. Works best with a transparent background.
Step-by-step: Sign a PDF with PDFKing
Upload your PDF
Go to pdfking.net/sign.html and upload the document you need to sign.
Create your signature
Choose the Draw, Type, or Upload tab and create your signature. You can change the pen colour in draw mode.
Place it on the document
Click Place on Document. Your signature appears as a draggable overlay on the PDF preview. Drag it to the signature line. Drag the blue corner handle to resize.
Save your signed PDF
Click Save PDF in the toolbar. Your signed document downloads immediately to your device.
Is a digital signature legally valid?
For most everyday documents — rental agreements, freelance contracts, consent forms, internal approvals — a signature image embedded in a PDF is widely accepted and legally sufficient. For high-stakes legal or financial documents requiring a cryptographically verified e-signature, you may need a dedicated e-signature service. When in doubt, check the requirements with the receiving party.
Tips for a professional-looking signature
- If drawing on a laptop, use a slow, deliberate stroke — fast strokes look jagged
- For the best draw result, use a touchscreen device with a stylus
- If uploading a photo, use good lighting and a white background, then convert to PNG with a transparent background for the cleanest result
- Scale the signature to match the size of the signature line on the form
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign on a specific page?
Yes — use the page navigation in the toolbar to move to the page you need to sign, then place your signature there.
Can I sign the same document multiple times?
Currently you can place one signature per save. To add multiple signatures, save after placing the first, then re-upload and add the second.
Does my signature get stored anywhere?
No. Your signature is created and used entirely in your browser session. Nothing is stored on any server.