How to Change Digital Signature Color in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
Question details
The user wants to customize the color of a digital signature but cannot find the color change option in their current software version.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying and formatting a digital signature or 'Fill & Sign' element on a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The color control option is missing or unavailable depending on the specific signature method (digital ID, image, or Fill & Sign) used in Acrobat Pro 2017.
Verify whether you are using a certificate-based digital ID, a drawn image, or the 'Fill & Sign' tool, as customization controls vary significantly between these signature types.
Create a Custom Signature Appearance with an Imported Image
Bypass the lack of built-in color controls by uploading a pre-colored image of your signature into a custom appearance profile.
In Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017, native color pickers for digital ID signatures are limited. The most reliable workaround is to write your signature in your preferred color, scan or capture it, and import it as the graphic for your digital ID.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017. Go to Edit > Preferences on Windows, or Acrobat > Preferences on macOS.
Select 'Signatures' from the Categories list on the left side. Under the 'Creation & Appearance' section, click the 'More' button.
In the Appearances box, click 'New'. Give your appearance a descriptive title.
Select the 'Imported graphic' option, click 'File', and browse for the image file of your custom-colored signature. Click 'OK' to save the appearance.
When signing your next document using your Digital ID, select the newly created appearance profile from the 'Appearance' dropdown menu.
Utilize the Fill & Sign Tool for Basic Text Signatures
If you do not require a cryptographic digital ID, use the Fill & Sign feature, though color options may still be restricted in the 2017 version.
Easily Customize Digital Signatures with WPS Office
Don't let older software versions restrict your document workflows. WPS PDF allows you to effortlessly create, insert, and customize digital signatures in any color you choose.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the WPS PDF editor.
- 2. Access the Signature Tool: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon, and click on 'Sign' > 'Create Signature'.
- 3. Customize Your Signature Color: In the signature creation window, type or draw your signature. Click the color palette icon in the upper right corner to select your desired color before saving.
- 4. Place the Signature: Click anywhere on the document to apply your newly colored signature, then drag the corners to resize it as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the color change option greyed out for my digital ID in Acrobat?
Certificate-based digital IDs often lock specific formatting to comply with strict cryptographic security standards. This restricts manual color changes for the text details of the certificate. To use color, you must import a custom graphic appearance.
Can I upgrade my Acrobat software to get signature color options?
Yes. Upgrading from Acrobat 2017 to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC will provide access to modern Fill & Sign tools, which include a built-in color palette for drawn and typed signatures.
Does WPS Office support custom colored PDF signatures?
Yes. When creating a signature in the WPS PDF tool, you can easily select custom colors for both typed and hand-drawn signatures using the built-in color palette before placing it on the document.
