sign-pdf
A PDF signature tool lets you add a signature, initials, date, and text annotations to a PDF — typed in a script font, hand-drawn with mouse or touch, or uploaded as a PNG image of your real signature. The ZTools Sign PDF tool runs entirely in your browser using pdf-lib: your signature image and the source PDF never leave your device. Useful for signing contracts, NDAs, school permission slips, and any everyday document that doesn't need full eIDAS-grade qualified signing.
Use cases
Signing a contract or NDA without printing
The traditional "print, sign, scan, email" loop is slow and resource-wasteful. Open the PDF, drop your signature on the signature line, fill in the date, download, send. Five minutes instead of half an hour.
Filling and signing a school or government form
PDF forms with signature blocks, school permission slips, and tax forms can all be completed in one tool. No printer needed.
Initialing every page of a long contract
Some contracts require initials on every page. Configure the tool to place your initial graphic in the same position on each page, in one operation.
Adding a date stamp to a printed-style document
Even when no signature is needed, dropping a date in the corner ("Received 2026-05-05") provides a useful audit trail.
How it works
- Drag-drop your PDF — Loads into browser memory.
- Create or upload your signature — Type (choose a script font), draw (mouse or touch), or upload a PNG of your real signature on white background.
- Place the signature on the page — Drag onto the signature line, resize, rotate. Add multiple signatures, initials, dates, or text fields.
- Repeat across pages if needed — Copy a placed signature to other pages with one click — useful for multi-page initialing.
- Click Save and download —
pdf-libflattens the signature images into the PDF page content (so they're not removable as separate annotations) and emits the signed PDF.
Examples
Input: 3-page contract + drawn signature + date "2026-05-05"
Output: 3-page PDF with signature on page 3 signature line and date next to it
Input: NDA + uploaded signature PNG
Output: PDF with the photographed real signature placed at the signature block
Frequently asked questions
Is this signature legally binding?
For most everyday contracts in most jurisdictions, a typed or drawn signature is legally binding (electronic signatures are recognized under ESIGN in the US, eIDAS in the EU). For high-stakes contracts requiring "qualified electronic signatures" (eIDAS QES), use a dedicated provider like DocuSign with identity verification.
Will my signature be uploaded?
No. Your signature image and the PDF stay in your browser. Disconnect from the internet after page load and the tool still works.
Can the signature be removed from the saved PDF?
After saving, the signature is flattened into the page content (not stored as a separate annotation), so it's not trivially removable. Determined attackers with image-editing tools can still alter PDFs — for tamper-evidence, use a digital signature with a certificate.
Should I type or draw my signature?
Drawn or uploaded image of your real signature is most personal and most accepted. Typed (in a script font) is acceptable for low-stakes documents but lacks the unique-handwriting characteristic.
Can I add my signature to a password-protected PDF?
Unlock first with our PDF Unlock tool (you must know the password), then sign, then re-protect if needed.
Is there a way to apply the same signature across many PDFs?
Sign each PDF individually with the same uploaded signature image. For batch signing of many similar contracts, consider a dedicated e-signature service.
Tips
- Upload a PNG of your real signature on a white background for the most authentic result.
- For better visual integration, use a transparent-background PNG (signature on transparent) — looks like ink directly on the page.
- Add a date next to your signature — common contract convention and an audit trail.
- For high-stakes contracts (real estate, financial), use a dedicated e-signature service with identity verification.
Try it now
The full sign-pdf runs in your browser at https://ztools.zaions.com/sign-pdf — no signup, no upload, no data leaves your device.
Last updated: 2026-05-05 · Author: Ahsan Mahmood · Edit this page on GitHub