Receiving a digital contract or form that requires a signature often leads to a frustrating workflow. Many people waste time printing the document, signing it with a pen, scanning it back into their computer, and sending it off. If you know how to sign a PDF document on a Mac using the built-in Preview app, you can completely eliminate this tedious process.
macOS features a native PDF viewer called Preview that includes powerful markup tools, allowing you to digitally overlay a realistic version of your handwritten signature onto any document in seconds.
How to Create and Save Your Signature
Before you can sign a document, you first need to capture and store your signature on your Mac. You only need to perform this setup process once.
- Double-click any PDF file to open it in Preview.
- Click the Show Markup Toolbar icon located near the top-right of the window (it looks like a small pen tip inside a circle).
- Click the Sign icon (which looks like a scribbled signature).
- Click Create Signature.
- You will be presented with three methods to capture your signature:
- Trackpad: Click the trackpad and use your finger to draw your signature directly. Press any key when you are finished.
- Camera: Write your signature clearly in black ink on a white piece of paper, then hold it up to your Mac’s webcam. The software will detect and extract it perfectly.
- iPhone/iPad: If your devices are linked to the same Apple ID, you can use your iPhone’s touchscreen or an iPad with an Apple Pencil to draw the signature seamlessly.
- Click Done to save it to your profile.
How to Insert Your Signature into a PDF
Once your signature is securely saved within the Preview app, applying it to future contracts is effortless.
- Open your desired PDF in Preview.
- Open the Markup Toolbar.
- Click the Sign icon. You will now see your previously saved signature listed in the drop-down menu.
- Click on your signature to drop it into the centre of the document.
- Click and drag the signature to the correct signature line. You can also drag the blue corners to resize it so it fits perfectly on the page.
- Press Command + S to save the final document.
Learning how to sign a PDF document on a Mac natively is an incredible productivity booster. It saves paper, cuts out the need for expensive third-party subscription software, and allows you to return critical forms in a matter of seconds.
