How to sign a PDF without printing it
Updated 23 September 2026
Printing a document, signing it with a pen, scanning it and emailing it back takes ten minutes and a printer you may not have. You can sign the PDF directly on your computer or phone instead, and the result is cleaner.
Sign it on screen in under a minute
- 1Open signfree.org on your computer or phone and choose "Sign it yourself".
- 2Choose the PDF you were sent. It opens in your browser and isn't uploaded.
- 3Click Signature. Draw it with your mouse, trackpad or finger, or type your name.
- 4Click on the document where the signature goes, then drag the corner to resize it.
- 5Add today's date and any text the form asks for.
- 6Click Download PDF and send the signed file back.
Is a signature added this way valid?
For most everyday documents, yes. The EU, the UK and the US all recognise electronic signatures, and a signature can't be rejected just because it was added on a screen. Some documents, like wills or property deeds, still need a notary or a certificate-based signature. If you're not sure, ask the person who sent you the document.
Tips for a signature that looks right
- Draw on a phone with your finger: it usually looks more natural than a mouse.
- Tick "Remember on this device" so you don't redraw it next time. It stays in your browser only.
- Make the signature about as tall as the text line it sits on.
- Use the same font as the document for typed text. SignFree has look-alikes of Arial, Calibri and Times New Roman.
When other people need to sign too
Instead of emailing a PDF back and forth, choose "Send it for signing". Add each person's email, mark where they sign, and they sign from a link without printing anything or creating an account.