How to sign a PDF safely
What a drawn signature on a PDF does and does not prove, and a checklist before you send a signed file.
“Please sign and send back.” Printing, signing with a pen, and scanning again works, but it is slow. Drawing your signature onto the PDF is faster. Before you do it, it helps to know what that drawn mark actually is, and what it is not.
Not legal advice. Rules on electronic signatures differ by country and by type of document. For contracts with large amounts, property, or official filings, check what your counterpart or a lawyer requires.
Three kinds of “signature”
| Type | What it is | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Drawn or typed signature | An image of your handwriting placed on the page | Shows intent, like ink on paper. Does not prove who placed it. |
| E-signature platform | A service that records who signed, when, and from which account | Adds an audit trail of email, time, and IP. |
| Certificate-based digital signature | A cryptographic seal tied to a verified identity | Proves identity and that the file was not changed after signing. |
PDF Studio creates the first kind: a visual signature. For many everyday documents, like a delivery note, a school permission form, or an internal approval, that is exactly what is asked for. It is not a certified digital signature and is not proof of identity.
Before you sign: a checklist
- Read the whole document, including small print and attachments. A signature on page 3 covers pages 1 to 10.
- Check names, dates, and amounts against what was agreed.
- Look for blank fields. Fill them or strike them out so nothing can be added later.
- Confirm you are authorised to sign, especially on behalf of a company.
Signing in PDF Studio
- Open the PDF. It stays in your browser; it is not uploaded.
- Choose the signature tool and draw with a mouse, trackpad, or finger. On a desktop without a touch screen, use the mobile option: scan the QR code with your phone and draw there.
- Place the signature on the line, resize it, and check it does not cover any text.
- Download the signed PDF and open it once to check every page.
The mobile option sends only the pen strokes to a temporary relay, never the PDF. The QR link works once and expires after five minutes. Treat it like a password while it is open: anyone who has the link before you use it could send strokes to that session.
After you sign
- Name the file clearly, for example
2026-11 Service agreement signed.pdf, so the signed copy is not mixed up with drafts. - Send it from your normal email or the channel agreed with the other party. That message is part of the record.
- Keep a copy of exactly what you sent, and the email it was attached to.
- Do not reuse a signature image sent to you by someone else. Placing another person's signature without permission can be forgery.
Protecting your signature image
A drawn signature is easy to copy from any PDF you send. That is true of a scanned ink signature too. Reduce the risk:
- Do not keep a signature PNG in shared folders or chat history.
- Sign only final versions, not drafts that will circulate.
- For high-value agreements, ask for an e-signature platform or certificate-based signature instead.
Signing as a team
When a document needs a manager's approval, emailing PDFs back and forth gets messy. The Max Cam Scanner Android app lets a teammate comment on a file in a shared workspace, mention the person who must sign, and request their signature. They get a notification, sign in the app, and the workspace keeps the version history.