PDF guide

How to add a signature to a PDF for free

Add a visible signature to a PDF without printing and scanning it. Folio lets you draw a signature or type your name, then move it into position on the page.

Draw or type your signature

1. Open your PDF in Folio and select Sign.
2. Use Draw to write in the signature area with a mouse, trackpad or touch input. Use Clear signature to try again.
3. Alternatively, choose Type and enter your name to create a typed signature.
4. Choose Use signature, then click the page to place it. Drag an area instead if you want to set its size.
5. In Select, drag the signature to move it. Click it to change its position or dimensions, or delete it.
6. Download the finished PDF and check the saved document before sharing it.

Fill the accompanying fields

If the PDF has fillable fields, click them to enter a name, date or other requested details. For a flat form without interactive fields, use Add text to create a text box. Keep text small enough to fit the form and check that nothing overlaps the signature.

What kind of signature does Folio create?

The Sign tool places a visual image on the page. It does not create a certificate-based digital signature, verify anyone’s identity, provide an audit trail or detect later changes to a document. If the recipient requires a verified signing service, use the method they specify.

Save and review

Leaving annotations editable lets you reopen the file in Folio and move the signature again. Selecting “Fix annotations and form values in place” during download bakes their current appearance into the page. This does not create tamper-proofing or certification.

Your PDF and the signature image are processed in your browser. There is no Folio account or online document library. Download a copy before closing the tab, and share the file yourself using your usual method.