Sign PDF
Sign a PDF without turning a simple approval into a printing job
The signing flow should focus on the job users actually need: create a signature, place it at the correct location, add initials or date if needed, review the page and export. A signature can be drawn with a mouse, finger or stylus, typed in a signature-style font, or imported as an image.
- 1. Choose
- 2. Prepare
- 3. Process
- 4. Review & export
Choose a PDF to signDrop a file here or browse. Files stay on this device — nothing is uploaded to run this tool.
Sign PDF runs locally in this browser tab. Known limits: A drawn signature is a visual signature, not a cryptographic digital signature
PDF Atelier must distinguish a visual electronic signature from a certificate-backed digital signature. The former is useful for many everyday agreements and approvals; the latter involves cryptographic identity and validation mechanisms that require a different product capability.
What this tool does and does not change
- Preserved where the source file allows it: text, vectors, links, annotations, forms, bookmarks, metadata.
- A drawn signature is a visual signature, not a cryptographic digital signature
Questions about Sign PDF
- How do I add my signature to a PDF?
- Open the PDF, choose Add Signature, then draw, type or import your signature. Place it on the page, resize it until it fits the signature field, and review the final position before export. The original PDF on your device remains unchanged unless you replace it manually.
- Is this the same as a digital signature with a certificate?
- No. PDF Atelier’s basic Sign PDF tool places an electronic signature appearance on the document. A certificate-based digital signature uses cryptography to bind a certificate identity to the file and can expose validation status in PDF readers. Do not describe the basic tool as a qualified or certificate-backed signature.
- Is an electronic signature legally valid?
- Electronic-signature rules depend on the country, transaction type, evidence available and any contractual or regulatory requirements. A visual signature can be suitable for many ordinary workflows, but PDF Atelier should not promise that one signing method satisfies every legal standard. Users handling regulated agreements should follow the requirements that apply to their transaction.
- Can I save my signature for next time?
- Yes, as an optional local preference. A saved signature should be stored locally on the user’s device by default and never synchronized without explicit consent. Users must be able to delete saved signatures from Settings immediately.
- Can I sign more than one page or add initials?
- Yes. The same signature or a separate initials mark can be placed on multiple pages. The editor should provide duplicate and copy-to-page actions for repetitive signing without forcing the user to recreate the mark each time.
- Can I sign a password-protected PDF?
- If the PDF requires a password to open, enter the correct password first. Some PDFs also contain permission restrictions that may affect modification. PDF Atelier should respect those restrictions rather than circumventing them.
- Does my signature get uploaded?
- In the local signing flow, the PDF and signature placement are processed on the device. If the user chooses to save a reusable signature, the default should remain local storage; any future cloud-sync option must be opt-in and explained separately.
Related tasks
- Edit PDF fill or add other information before signing.
- Protect PDF password-protect the signed copy.
- Redact PDF remove sensitive information before sharing.
- Add Text to PDF add dates, names or initials.