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To add your own visible signature, open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and choose Sign or Tools > Fill & Sign. Add a signature by typing your name, drawing it, or choosing an image; click Apply, place it on the page, and save the PDF. Adobe Reader is free for this task.
Sign your own PDF on a computer
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Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader. Review the document before adding a signature.
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Choose Sign in the toolbar, or open Tools > Fill & Sign. You may also find Fill & Sign in the right pane. Adobe is rolling out a newer product experience, so the location or wording can vary slightly by version. Adobe’s desktop Fill & Sign guide shows the current workflow.
The Tool Desk
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If Reader shows Fill and Sign, select it. Reader may detect form fields: click a highlighted field to enter text. On a PDF without interactive fields, you can still add text and a signature.
#1 Best Overall
LCD Electronic Signature Pad USB Digital Signature Tablet Handwriting Capture Sign Pad Support PDF Word Excel WPS Secondary Development Kit for Office Finance Hospital Government OA System Windows- Please Note: This Signature Pad can shows the signature on its display as well as the computer screen
- Battery-Free Pen: YZ04 signature tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The Havapen advanced Battery-free YP10 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for E-signatures: The HavaPen YZ04 signature tablet is designed for digital E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Ultra thin tablet: Active Area 6 x 4 inches. Fully utilizing our 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity―Providing you with groundbreaking control and fluidity to expand your creative output
- What's in box: Signature Pad x 1, Battery-Free Stylus x 1, Pen Nibs x 10, Nib Clip x 1
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Select Sign, then choose to add a signature or initials. For a new signature, choose Type, Draw, or Image. If you already saved a signature, select it instead.
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Click Apply, click the desired spot in the document, and adjust the placement if needed. Save the PDF when you are satisfied. Adobe says that when you save, “the signature and text become part of the PDF.”
Rank #2
SMAJAYU FP430S 4.3 Inch Color LCD Backlit Electronic Signature Pad, USB Signature Capture Tablet with Stylus Pen, PDF Signautre, Compatible with Windows 7 8 10 11 Computer, Laptop- 【Signature tool 1】: SMAJAYU electronic signature pad works with “SMAJAYU document(s) Signer” a Sign Tool for pdf,word,excel documents digital signature. Pdf,Excel,word documents will be save as pdf after signature on sign tool.
- 【Signature tool 2】: Second sign tool named “demo tool” which is for getting signature picture to past on excel,word.edited files.
- 【Signature tool 3】: 430S SDK is available to integrate with programmable flatform, like website, app. Contact SMAJAYU support team for support.
- 【Apply Windows OS】SMAJAYU Signature pad and Signer tool only compatible with Windows OS, Windows 7,8,10,11, don’t support apple PC.
- 【How to sign documents】Install “ SMAJAYU document(s) Signer” on computer, run this app and create certification for first installation which for signature encryption and safety. Then insert Signature pad by USB and open files to start sign.
Choose whether to save a reusable signature
Reader can retain a signature securely in Adobe Document Cloud for reuse when you are signed in and select Save Signature. This is optional; leave the option unchecked if you do not want to store a reusable signature there.
Sign a PDF in the mobile app
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Open the PDF and choose Fill & Sign.
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Tap Signature > Add signature, then draw a signature, choose an image, or capture one as the app offers.
Rank #3
Scriptel ST1570-6FT 1x5 LCD Backlit Proscript Signature Capture Pad (Renewed)- Rugged design with LCD display
- Scratch-resistant glass signing surface
- Vertical Pen Mount
- Active battery-less tethered pen
- Durable plastic case construction with heavy-duty cable attachments
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Place the signature and resize it as needed. Review the document before saving. Adobe says the mobile workflow can be completed offline and synced when you are online again.
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Save only after checking the signature and document. Adobe’s mobile help says signatures and initials are permanent once saved and the PDF flattens; through that workflow, it cannot then be edited or unsigned. Adobe’s mobile signing instructions describe this limitation.
Rank #4
Sale
GAOMON PD2200 130% sRGB Full-Laminated Pen Display with 8192 Battery-Free Tilt-Support Stylus 8 Touch Buttons -21.5'' Graphics Drawing Tablet Monitor with Adjustable Stand and Two Finger Glove- 【FOR ONLINE TEACHING & MEETING】You can use GAOMON PD2200 pen display tablet for online education and remote meeting. It works with most online meeting programs, like Zoom, and so on. 【FOR DIGITAL ART & CREATION】-- It's not only for beginner but also for professionalists in digital drawing, sketching, graphics design, 3D art work, animation, etc. 【FOR ANNOTATING AND SIGNATURE】--It is also broadly used in annotating and signing file in excel, word, pdf, ppt, etc.
- 【FULL GLASS STYLISH DESIGN】 It’s full glass design with 8 touch keys. No PVC frame on 3 sides.【HD FULL-LAMINATED SCREEN & 130% sRGB/92%NTSC】--Visually the parallax will be deduced to the lowest level. 【WITH AG-FILME PRE-APPLIED】--To protect the PD2200 drawing monitor during long shipping and to avoid bubble when applying film, we applied an anti-glare film in advance in our no dust factory. After you peel off the outside layer protective film, the real film remains on PD2200.
- 【8192 LEVELS PRESSURE & BATTERY-FREE PEN】【TILT SUPPORT FUNCTION】--GAOMON PD2200 Drawing Display Tablet uses 8192 battery-free pen with tilt support function allow you to create your remarkable piece with superior control and stunning fluidity. [PEN HOLDER & PEN NIBS]-- 8 replacement nibs are put inside the pen holder. [8 TOUCH SHORTCUTS]--They are areavailable to customize in GAOMON driver.
- [Dimension]---The glove is flexible and free size. Approx size in unused state: Length: 8.26’’ (21cm) ,Wrist Width: 3.15’’ (8 cm) ,Palm width: 3.54’’ (9.5cm)
- [Material of Glove]---Two finger artist glove made of high elastic Lycra fibre with great air permeability, tensile strength, extremely flexible and comfortable to work with. It can decrease friction between your hand and the surface .
Choose the right signing workflow
| What you need | Reader workflow | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Add your own ordinary visible signature | Fill & Sign | Lets you type, draw, or insert an image of a signature, then place and save it. |
| Use certificate-backed identity and document-integrity validation | All tools > Use a certificate > Digitally sign | Requires a Digital ID and supports validation of signer identity and whether the document was altered. |
| Request signatures from other people | Tools > Request E-signatures | Sends a signing request and lets you specify signers and signature fields. |
Ordinary Fill & Sign signature
Use Fill & Sign for a typical form that asks you to sign. It creates a visible signature appearance, which can be typed, drawn, or inserted as an image. A visible signature alone is not the same as certificate-based identity and integrity validation.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Certificate-based digital signature
Use this workflow when the receiving organization specifically requires a certificate-based digital signature or verifiable signer identity. Choose All tools > Use a certificate > Digitally sign, draw the signature field, select a Digital ID, verify its details, enter its password, sign, and save. If you have not configured a Digital ID, set one up first. Adobe says an ID may come from your organization or a certificate authority, or be self-signed; do not assume a self-signed ID meets a recipient’s requirements. See Adobe’s certificate-signing instructions and Adobe’s overview of digital signatures.
Best Value
- Slim design with wide palm rest
- Active battery-less tethered pen
- Durable plastic case construction with heavy-duty cable attachments
- Horizontal snap-in and vertical pen mounts
- Bottom-side rubber feet and mounting holes
Request signatures from other people
To collect signatures, choose Tools > Request E-signatures, enter signer email addresses in the intended order, set any needed authentication or reminders, and specify signature fields. Recipients can follow the request link in a browser, on a mobile device, or in Acrobat or Reader. Adobe states that “Signers are not required to sign up or purchase any Adobe product.” Complete your edits before sending: Adobe warns that changes made after signing will remove the agreement’s certification. See Adobe’s send-for-signature guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common questions and fixes
The PDF has no fillable fields
You can still use Fill & Sign to place text and a signature on a simple PDF; interactive form fields are not required.
The recipient needs proof of identity or document integrity
Ask the recipient whether a certificate-based Digital ID is required. A typed, drawn, or image-based signature is not interchangeable with the certificate workflow.
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Check the file carefully before saving, especially in the mobile workflow, where Adobe documents flattening and finality. For an agreement sent to other signers, finish edits before sending because later changes remove its certification.
You want to request signatures but cannot find the feature
Look under Tools > Request E-signatures. Reader includes a limited number of signature requests; Adobe does not state a fixed quota in its Reader FAQ, and paid Document Cloud services are available if you exceed the allowance. Expanded PDF functions may also require a paid plan. Adobe’s Reader FAQ describes the free and paid capabilities.
Quick Recap
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