In the digital age, the need to sign a PDF document without having to print it has taken on great importance. More and more individuals and businesses are turning to digital signatures, a simple, quick and environmentally friendly solution. In this detailed walkthrough, we’ll show you how to sign a PDF without printing using digital signing techniques and tools.
What is digital signature?
Before we dive in, let’s define what a digital signature is. This is a mechanism that guarantees the integrity and authenticity of a digital document. In other words, if you digitally sign a PDF document, the recipient will be able to verify that the document has not been altered after your signature and that it really comes from you.
Why use digital signature on a PDF?
There are many advantages to using a digital signature on a PDF document. First, as mentioned previously, it guarantees the integrity of the document and the authenticity of the signature. This saves considerable time since it is no longer necessary to print, sign by hand, then scan the document. From an environmental point of view, the use of digital signatures contributes to reducing the use of paper. Finally, digital signature makes sharing documents much easier, since you only have to send the signed document by email.
How to digitally sign a PDF document?
Several tools allow you to easily add your digital signature to a PDF document. Among the latter, Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the best known and used. However, there are other options that are just as effective.
Digital signature with Adobe Acrobat Reader
To digitally sign a PDF document with Adobe Acrobat Reader, here is the procedure to follow:
- Open your PDF document with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Click on the “Fill and sign” icon, available in the right panel.
- A drop-down menu appears with the option “Add a signature”: click on it.
- You can either draw your signature on the screen using your mouse, upload an image of your signature, or type your name and let Adobe Acrobat generate a signature for you.
- Once your signature is created, you can position it wherever you want in your PDF document.
- Then click “Apply” to finalize the digital signature of your document.
Digital signature with other tools
In addition to Adobe Acrobat Reader, other free and efficient tools exist for digitally signing your PDF documents.
Docusign, for example, is an online platform that makes it easy to electronically sign your documents. It offers an intuitive interface that guides you step by step through the digital signature process.
Smallpdf is another popular option, particularly for its ease of use. You can simply add your signature to a document by uploading it or drawing it directly on the interface.
The validity of the digital signature
It is good to note that the digital signature has legal value. Indeed, in most countries, including France, a law recognizes the legal validity of electronic signatures. It is therefore just as valid as the handwritten signature.
The digital signature is therefore a valuable tool, saving time and efficiency. It allows you to quickly sign a PDF without printing the document. Remember, however, that certain situations still require a handwritten signature. So be sure to always check the nature of the document to be signed.
All you have to do is try the different digital signature methods and tools to find the one that suits you best. Efficiency, speed and ecology are there with the digital signature!
