How to sign a PDF

Last updated: June 25, 2026

"Please sign and return." You don't need to print, sign, and scan the whole thing back — and you definitely don't need to upload a contract to a website that asks you to sign up first. Here are practical, free ways to add your signature to a PDF.

Method 1 — Sign in your browser or built-in viewer

Many PDF viewers have a built-in signing tool. On macOS, Preview's Markup lets you draw or insert a saved signature. On Windows, Edge can add freehand drawing to a PDF. These keep the file on your device:

  1. Open the PDF in the viewer.
  2. Use the signature / draw tool to place your signature where it belongs.
  3. Save the file.

Method 2 — Use a photo of your signature

This works anywhere and looks clean:

  1. Sign a blank white sheet with a dark pen and photograph it.
  2. If you only need a signed copy (not an editable one), the simplest robinpdf-friendly route is to print the document, sign it, photograph the pages, and rebuild a PDF with JPG to PDF.
  3. Too large to send? Compress it.

Signature vs. legal e-signature

Adding a picture of your signature is fine for most everyday documents. If you need a legally binding e-signature with an audit trail (some contracts and official forms require this), use a dedicated e-signature service — that's a different, regulated process.

Keep it private

A signed document is sensitive. The browser and photo methods above keep it on your device, and robinpdf's tools never upload your files — so your signature and the document stay yours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I reuse my signature?

Yes — save a clean photo of your signature once and reuse it whenever you need it.

Will the document still look professional?

With a sharp, well-lit signature on white, yes. Crop tightly around the ink for the cleanest result.