How to Change a Typed Adobe Signature to a Handwritten Appearance
Question details
The user wants to replace an existing typed signature in Adobe Acrobat with a realistic, handwritten-style signature.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Signing digital PDF documents where a more authentic, handwritten signature is required instead of the default typed font.
- Observed behavior
- The signature applied to the PDF displays as a standard typed font, and the user needs to switch this appearance to a drawn or imported image of their actual signature.
Ensure you have a clear, well-lit photo or scanned image of your handwritten signature saved to your device, or prepare to use a mouse or touch-screen stylus to draw it manually.
Replace the Saved Signature in Adobe Fill & Sign
The quickest way to change a typed signature is to delete the saved profile in the Fill & Sign tool and create a new one using the Draw or Image options.
Adobe Acrobat saves your most recently used signature. To change it from a typed font to a handwritten style, you must remove the old signature profile first, as Acrobat only allows one primary signature at a time in the basic Fill & Sign tool.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, open your PDF document, and select the 'Fill & Sign' tool from the right-hand panel.
Click the 'Sign Yourself' icon (shaped like a pen) in the top toolbar. Hover over your existing typed signature and click the minus (-) icon to delete it.
Click 'Add Signature'. A window will appear with three options: Type, Draw, and Image.
Select 'Draw' to manually write your signature using your mouse or stylus, or select 'Image' to upload a previously saved picture of your handwritten signature.
Check the box that says 'Save signature' so Acrobat remembers this handwritten appearance for future use, then click 'Apply' and click anywhere on the document to place the signature.
Customize the Appearance of Certificate-Based Signatures
If you are using digital certificates to sign documents securely, you can configure the appearance settings to include an image of your handwritten signature alongside the certificate details.
Easily Add Handwritten Signatures with WPS PDF
If you find navigating signature settings complicated, WPS PDF offers a highly intuitive, built-in signature tool. You can easily draw, type, or import your handwritten signature in seconds without dealing with complex menus.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document in the WPS PDF editor.
- 2. Access the Signature Tool: Navigate to the 'Fill & Sign' tab or the 'Insert' tab and click on the 'Sign' button.
- 3. Create a New Signature: Select 'Create Signature' from the drop-down menu.
- 4. Choose Your Appearance: Switch to the 'Draw' tab to write your signature with a mouse/stylus, or use the 'Image' tab to upload a picture of your physical signature.
- 5. Place the Signature: Click 'OK', then click anywhere on your document to place and resize your newly created handwritten signature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the minus icon to delete my signature grayed out?
If you cannot delete your saved signature in Acrobat, you may be logged out of your Adobe Document Cloud account, or the PDF you are viewing has strict security restrictions that prevent signing and editing. Ensure you are signed in and the document permissions allow changes.
What is the best image format for importing a handwritten signature?
For the best visual result, use a PNG image with a transparent background. While JPG and BMP formats are supported, a transparent PNG ensures that the white background of the image does not block out any document text behind the signature.
How can I make my drawn signature look less jagged?
Drawing with a computer mouse often results in shaky or jagged lines. To achieve a smooth handwritten look, try using a touch-screen device with a stylus. Alternatively, sign a blank piece of white paper with a dark pen, take a clear photo of it, and use the 'Image' import option instead of drawing.
Can I save both a typed and a handwritten signature in Acrobat?
The standard Fill & Sign tool allows you to save one primary Signature and one Initials profile. If you want to switch between multiple signature styles frequently, you may need to recreate the signature each time, or use custom appearance profiles within the certificate-based signature settings.
