PDF Signature Tools: 4 Easy Ways to Sign Your PDFs Online for FREE
By PdfEditly Team · October 16, 2026 · 11 min read
You may have to sign a PDF document either for work, study, or personal reasons. This may involve filling out employment forms, a business letter, or any kind of contract. The process of printing the document, signing on paper, and then scanning the document back is time-consuming.
PDF signature tools provide an easy way of inserting a visible signature into the PDF without having to print the document at all. You can choose to insert your signature through various means such as drawing or uploading a signature image.
This guide explains how each tool works, which one may suit your needs, and what you should check before you share a signed PDF.
What Are PDF Signature Tools?
PDF signatures tools allow you to insert your signature into a PDF file. They can be used for any document where a signature is needed. Your choice of the appropriate tool depends on what kind of signature you would like to insert. If you would like to make a drawing of your signature, a drawing tool will be more suitable for this. In case you already have a signature photo, an upload tool will be preferable.
For example, a freelancer may need to sign a client form before starting a project. A student may need to sign an application. An office worker may need to add a signature to a letter.
However, a visible signature is not always the same as a certificate-based digital signature. A visible signature may be a drawing or image placed on a page. A certificate-based digital signature uses digital checks to help confirm the signer and show whether someone changed the file after signing. Before you sign an official document, check which type of signature the person or company accepts.
4 Free PDF Signature Tools You Can Use Online
PdfEditly has four tools in its Signatures & Forms suite. Each tool serves a different purpose, so you can choose the one that fits your task.
1. Create Digital Signatures for PDF Documents
Using the Create Digital Signatures tool, you can sign a PDF file by putting your signature on any page within the document. This can be helpful if there is an area for your signature within the document. You could be required to sign an application, letter, or business document. The use of an appropriate online signing tool can save you some time.
How to use this tool:
- Start the application that will allow you to create digital signatures.
- Import your PDF document to the application.
- Choose one of the existing ways to create a signature.
- Make sure the signature is placed correctly within the document.
Keep your signature near the place where it is supposed to go. Do not sign over the date, name, or any other information that is important. If your document contains more than one place to put your signature, you should review all of those areas. This program will work for anyone who wants to put a visible signature on their PDF.
2. Draw Your Signature With a Mouse or Touchscreen
Is there a desire for your signature to be like that, which is your handwriting? Using the Draw Signatures feature allows you to draw your signature using either the mouse or the touchscreen. This will be helpful in the absence of an image of your signature stored on your computer.
How to draw your signature:
- Click the Draw Signatures option.
- Draw your signature using either your mouse or touchscreen.
- Look at the shape and size.
- Sign your name on the PDF document.
- Preview the file before saving.
The clarity of the signature makes it easy to read. For mouse users, it would be better to go slowly and refrain from unnecessary markings. For touch screens, a finger or a suitable pen could work. Lastly, take note of the size of your signature before you are done. It can either be too small that it is difficult to read or too big that it might cover the surrounding text. This tool can be used to draw your own signature.
3. Upload a Signature Image to a PDF
It is possible that you might not have to redraw your signature if you have one already saved in image form. With the Upload Signature Images feature of PdfEditly, you can upload your signature image in the PNG format. This process might be helpful in case you have the same signature in different documents.
How to add a signature image:
- Go to the Upload Signature Images feature.
- Select your signature image file in PNG format.
- Insert the image in the PDF using the tool’s features.
- Resize and reposition the image according to your preferences, if possible.
- View and save the completed document.
Choose a good-quality picture to ensure that the signature does not come out blurred. Avoid uploading any signatures with additional elements or anything in the background, which can be distracting. A clean signature helps in keeping the signature neat on the page. It is important to ensure that the website you choose for uploading your signature can be trusted. The signature is personal and, therefore, should not be shared with people whom you do not trust.
4. Save Signature Templates for Future Use
If you sign PDF files often, you may want to reuse the same signature. PdfEditly's Save Signature Templates tool helps you reuse saved signatures across documents. This can help freelancers, office workers, business owners, and others who handle many PDF files.
For example, a freelancer may need to sign forms for different clients. An office worker may sign routine papers each week. A saved signature template can reduce the time spent on the same task.
Here are some reasons to use saved signature templates:
- You can reuse a saved signature instead of drawing it again.
- You can save time when you sign several documents.
- You can keep the same signature style across your files.
- You can avoid repeated uploads of the same signature image.
Always check the saved signature before you use it. Make sure you choose the correct one and place it on the right document. You should also protect access to your saved signatures. Someone who gets your signature image may try to use it without your permission. This tool is a useful choice if you sign PDFs on a regular basis.
Which PDF Signature Tool Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on what you need to do. You may want to draw a new signature, use an image, or reuse a saved one.
Your need
Best tool
Place a signature on a PDF page
Create Digital Signatures
Draw a signature by hand
Draw Signatures
Use an existing PNG signature image
Upload Signature Images
Reuse a saved signature
Save Signature Templates
For signing a single document, creating a signature may suffice. In case you have an image of your signature ready, then uploading that image may take less time. In case you need to sign several PDFs every day, then templates saved may suit your work. There is no need for using all four methods on every document.
How to Sign a PDF Online for Free With PdfEditly
The exact steps may vary based on the tool you choose. In most cases, you can follow this simple process.
- Go to the Signatures and Forms tab. Locate the PDF signature tools at PdfEditly.
- Select an appropriate tool. Choose the required tool for creating, drawing, uploading, or reusing the signature.
- Insert the signature. Do it according to the provided options in the selected tool.
- Position it correctly. Place the signature where it is supposed to be positioned.
- Validate the PDF. Ensure that the signature doesn’t cover any text or other elements in the document.
- Save the document. Save it using the appropriate function provided by the tool.
After you finish, open the saved PDF and review it again. Check the signed page and any other pages that contain important details. Some documents also need a date, printed name, or other information next to the signature. Read the form before you send it to anyone.
Common Problems When Signing a PDF and How to Fix Them
Even a simple task can go wrong if you miss a small detail. Here are some common problems and ways to fix them.
The signature looks blurry. Use a clearer PNG image or draw the signature again. Making a poor image larger will not improve its quality.
The signature is too large. Resize it if the tool allows this. Make sure it fits the space without covering nearby text.
The signature covers other details. Move it to the correct spot before you save the PDF. Check names, dates, and other text around the signature field.
The signature looks different from your usual one. Check that you chose the right image or saved template. If you draw it yourself, try again with slower movements.
You cannot find a saved signature. Check the options in the signature template tool and make sure you select the correct saved item.
The final PDF looks wrong. Open the saved file and check every page. If the signature or page layout has changed, repeat the process and review the new copy before sharing it.
A quick check before you send the file can help you avoid mistakes.
Is Adding a Signature to a PDF the Same as a Digital Certificate Signature?
Not necessarily. A visible signature and a digital signature using a certificate have different mechanisms. A visible signature can be a picture of a signature or even an image that appears on a PDF document. It will show the signature mark but not necessarily authenticate the signature and the subsequent changes to the document. On the other hand, a digital signature that employs certificates has a mechanism that involves the use of digital signatures and certificates.
This difference matters for legal papers, company records, and official forms. Some people or groups may accept a visible signature, while others may require a certificate-based signature or a specific signing service. Do not assume that every signature added with online PDF signature tools meets every legal or business rule. Check the requirements before you sign an important document.
Tips to Keep Your PDF Signatures Safe
Your signature can show that you approve a document, so take care when you add it to a file.
- Read the document first. Make sure you understand what you are signing.
- Check the recipient. Confirm who will receive the signed PDF.
- Protect your signature image. Do not share it with people you do not trust.
- Check the site's privacy details. Read how the service handles uploaded files before you add private documents.
- Review every page. Look for missing details, wrong dates, or a misplaced signature.
- Keep a copy. Store important signed documents in a safe place.
These simple steps can help you avoid common mistakes and keep your documents under your control.
Sign Your PDF With the Right Tool
You do not always need to print a PDF just to add your signature. The right PDF signature tools can help you add a visible signature in a few simple steps. PdfEditly offers four options for different needs. You can place a signature on a PDF page, draw one with a mouse or touch screen, upload a PNG signature image, or save a signature template for later use.
Choose the tool that fits your task, read the document before you sign it, and check the final file before you share it. For your next PDF, visit PdfEditly's Signatures & Forms section and choose the option that works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About PDF Signature Tools
How can I sign a PDF online for free?
Open a suitable PDF signature tool, add your signature, place it on the page, and save the file. Check the tool's available features and any limits before you start.
Can I draw my signature directly on a PDF?
Yes. A drawing tool lets you create a signature with a mouse or touch screen. You can then place it on the PDF with the available tool options.
Can I upload my signature as a PNG image?
Yes, if the tool supports PNG files. PdfEditly has an Upload Signature Images tool for this purpose.
Can I save my signature and use it again?
Yes, PdfEditly offers a Save Signature Templates tool that lets you reuse saved signatures across documents.
Do I need to print a PDF before signing it?
No, not always. An online signature tool can let you add a visible signature without printing the document first.
Is a signature image the same as a certificate-based digital signature?
No. A signature image is a visible mark on the page. A certificate-based digital signature uses digital checks to help confirm the signer and detect changes to the file.