# Sign PDF — Technical Tool Documentation > **Summary:** Draw or type a signature and place it on a rendered PDF page. > **Tool Route:** `/tools/sign.html` > **Visual Guide Route:** `/guides/sign-pdf/` > **Category:** Edit PDF > **Processing Architecture:** 100% Client-Side. Signature drawing and document remain strictly in browser. --- ## 1. What the Tool Does Sign PDF creates a drawn or typed signature, lets you click to place it on pages, and embeds the signature image in the exported document. **Requirements & Constraints:** One readable PDF is required. Treat the exported file as a visual signature document and review placement carefully. --- ## 2. When to Use It Use **Sign PDF** whenever you need to perform client-side edit pdf operations without uploading confidential records to third-party cloud servers. **Ideal Scenarios:** - Working on personal identity records, banking statements, medical filings, or NDAs requiring 100% local confidentiality. - Fast offline or low-bandwidth processing directly in your web browser. - Universal cross-platform document operations on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. --- ## 3. Key Implemented Features - **Engine Architecture:** `HTML5 Signature Pad Canvas + pdf-lib (embedPng, drawImage)` - **Zero Server Uploads:** Processing executes directly within client browser memory. - **Instant Processing:** Fast execution powered by WebAssembly and native HTML5 APIs. - **Review Previews:** Visual feedback and progress indicators confirm results prior to saving. - **No Sign-up / No Watermarks:** Full functionality with zero paywalls or forced branding. --- ## 4. Supported Input Files - **Primary Input:** Single PDF document (.pdf) - **Validation:** Files are validated in the browser prior to parsing. --- ## 5. Supported Output Files - **Output Format:** Signed PDF document (signed.pdf) - **MIME Types:** `application/pdf` (or appropriate image/text/zip formats). --- ## 6. File Size & Memory Limits - **Recommended Bounds:** Client RAM bound - **Technical Context:** Modern browser tabs enforce memory quotas (typically 1.5 GB to 2 GB per tab). PDFHub handles documents comfortably within standard browser memory limits. For files exceeding 150 MB or 1,000 pages, splitting into smaller sections is recommended. --- ## 7. Step-by-Step Instructions 1. **Upload a PDF and choose Draw or Type.** 2. **Create your signature, then navigate to the target page.** 3. **Click the page to place the signature and drag it into position if needed.** 4. **Select Save Signed PDF and review placement before sending it.** --- ## 8. Required User Inputs & Controls - **File Upload Area (`#drop` / `#fin`):** Click to open native file browser or drag and drop supported files. - **Tool Options (`#opts`):** Dynamic settings panel configuring parameters, page ranges, or compression levels. - **Execution Button (`Save Signed PDF (#goBtn)`):** Triggers client-side processing pipeline. - **Reset Button:** Clears loaded files and resets workspace to pristine state. --- ## 9. Processing Behavior & Execution Pipeline Allows user to draw signature on touch/mouse canvas or generate typed signature with cursive script font, places signature stamp over selected page and coordinates, embeds signature PNG into PDF, and saves. --- ## 10. Expected Output & Download Verification - Upon successful execution, the interface triggers an automated browser download via `downloadBlob()` or opens a result review modal. - Users can verify file size, page count, and visual rendering before finalizing the download. --- ## 11. Practical Example Use Case Signing employment offer letters, NDAs, rental lease agreements, or sales contracts electronically. --- ## 12. Common Errors & Troubleshooting - **Issue:** If drawing is difficult, use Type mode or a stylus/touch screen. - **Issue:** If the signature looks offset, adjust its position before saving. - **Avoid:** Saving without placing a signature. - **Avoid:** Placing the signature on the wrong page after navigating. - **Tip:** Placing signature stamp outside visible page boundary. Solution: Click directly onto the document preview canvas. --- ## 13. Privacy & Data Handling Architecture - **Local Processing:** 100% Client-Side. Signature drawing and document remain strictly in browser. - **Browser Memory:** Document bytes reside temporarily in `ArrayBuffer` memory and are garbage collected when the browser tab is refreshed or closed. - **Cookies & Telemetry:** PDFHub sets zero tracking cookies, zero analytics beacons, and stores zero personal document data. --- ## 14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) #### Q: Is this a certificate-based digital signature? **A:** No, it embeds a drawn or typed image. #### Q: Can I place signatures on multiple pages? **A:** Yes, add one on each page as needed. --- ## 15. Related PDFHub Tools - [Edit PDF Documentation](edit-pdf.md) - [PDF Forms Documentation](forms-pdf.md) - [Protect PDF Documentation](protect-pdf.md) --- ## 16. Links & Resources - **Launch Live Tool:** [Open Sign PDF in PDFHub](../../tools/sign.html) - **Visual Tutorial:** [View Sign PDF Visual Guide](../../guides/sign-pdf/) - **All Tools Master Reference:** [All Tools Reference](../all-tools-reference.md) - **Master Documentation Index:** [Documentation Index](../documentation-index.md) --- ## 17. Visual Walkthrough & Interface Screenshots ### Step 1: Open Sign PDF - **Interface Control:** `Upload Drop Zone (#drop)` - **What You See:** The upload drop area accepts agreements, contracts, and application PDFs. - **What to Do:** Open Sign PDF to draw, type, or stamp your legally binding digital signature onto contracts. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** All signatures are created directly in your browser with zero document uploads. ![Sign PDF Step 1 - Open Sign PDF](../images/sign-pdf-step-1.png) ### Step 2: Upload Contract or Document - **Interface Control:** `File Browser (#fin)` - **What You See:** The document renders inside the signature canvas viewer. - **What to Do:** Select your PDF document requiring signature from your device. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** You can navigate to the exact signature line on any page of the document. ![Sign PDF Step 2 - Upload Contract or Document](../images/sign-pdf-step-2.png) ### Step 3: Choose Signature Mode - **Interface Control:** `Signature Tabs (.sig-tab)` - **What You See:** The signature creator provides an interactive drawing canvas or typography text input. - **What to Do:** Select "Draw" to draw your signature by hand or "Type" to generate a calligraphic signature. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** On touchscreen devices, the Draw mode supports smooth stylus and finger gestures. ![Sign PDF Step 3 - Choose Signature Mode](../images/sign-pdf-step-3.png) ### Step 4: Create Your Signature - **Interface Control:** `Signature Pad (#typeInput, #sigCanvas)` - **What You See:** The signature renders with clean antialiased curves or elegant cursive font. - **What to Do:** Type your full legal name or draw your signature on the pad. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Click "Clear" if you wish to re-draw your signature. ![Sign PDF Step 4 - Create Your Signature](../images/sign-pdf-step-4.png) ### Step 5: Place Signature on Page - **Interface Control:** `Document Canvas Placement (#canvasWrap)` - **What You See:** Your signature appears on the page with adjustable handles to resize or reposition. - **What to Do:** Click the document page where the signature line is located to position the signature stamp. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Ensure the signature is scaled appropriately to fit neatly above the line. ![Sign PDF Step 5 - Place Signature on Page](../images/sign-pdf-step-4.png) ### Step 6: Click Save Signed PDF - **Interface Control:** `Save Action Button (button.btn-primary)` - **What You See:** The client-side engine embeds your signature permanently into the vector PDF stream. - **What to Do:** Click the primary "Save Signed PDF" button. - **Practical Pro-Tip:** The signature becomes a permanent part of the document structure. ![Sign PDF Step 6 - Click Save Signed PDF](../images/sign-pdf-step-4.png) ### Step 7: Review Signed Document & Download - **Interface Control:** `Preview Section & Download (#generatedPreview, #dlModal)` - **What You See:** The preview displays your executed signature on the signature line. - **What to Do:** Review the signed document in the preview viewer, then click "Download". - **Practical Pro-Tip:** Your signed PDF is now complete and ready to return to clients or partners. ![Sign PDF Step 7 - Review Signed Document & Download](../images/sign-pdf-step-4.png)