PDF and text
What is Electronic signature?
Also called e-signature.
An electronic signature is any electronic mark a person adds to show they agree to a document, from a typed name to a drawn signature image on a PDF.
How it works
Signing a document electronically replaces pen and paper with a mark in the file itself. The simplest forms are a typed name, a checkbox saying “I agree” or an image of a handwritten signature placed on a PDF. They show intent, which is what many agreements legally require.
What they don’t do by themselves is prove identity or protect the file afterwards. Anyone could paste the same image, and the text around it can still be edited. E-signature services add audit trails, email verification and timestamps to fill that gap.
Electronic vs digital signature
A digital signature is a cryptographic seal made with a certificate linked to the signer. PDF readers can verify it and show whether the document has changed since signing. Every digital signature is an electronic signature, but most electronic signatures, including a drawn signature on a PDF, are not digital signatures.
A practical example
Drawing your signature with a finger and placing it on the signature line of a rental application PDF creates a simple electronic signature.
What to watch out for
A signature image placed on a PDF doesn’t lock the document or prove who added it. For contracts where identity and tampering matter, the other party may require a certificate-based digital signature.
Tools you can use
- Sign PDF · Draw, type or upload a signature and place it
- Watermark PDF · DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or your own words
Go a little deeper
Common questions
Is an electronic signature legally binding?
In the US, UK, EU and many other places, electronic signatures are generally valid for most everyday agreements. Some documents, such as certain wills and property deeds, have stricter rules, so check what the recipient accepts.
What is the difference between an electronic and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is any mark showing intent. A digital signature is a specific cryptographic technique that uses a certificate to prove who signed and to reveal any later changes to the file.
Can I sign a PDF without printing it?
Yes. Draw, type or upload your signature and place it on the page, then save the PDF. The result can be emailed or uploaded like any other file.